McGuinty
Government to strengthen Ontario's Child Care Network
TORONTO, Jan. 7 /CNW/ - Minister of Children's
Services Dr. Marie
Bountrogianni
today announced that the McGuinty government will strengthen
child
care and early learning by making $9.7 million in federal funds
available
to municipalities.
"After years of neglect, it's time to repair
the foundation of child care
across
Ontario," said Dr. Bountrogianni. "We know that if children
experience high quality early learning and child care, they are better
prepared to succeed in life."
Dr. Bountrogianni made the announcement at the
Parkdale Beach Child Care Centre,
surrounded by children.
"Our children represent the future of this
province," said Dr.
Bountrogianni.
"We owe it to them, and to ourselves, to give them the best
possible
start."
Dr. Bountrogianni said the funding announcement
signals a new era of
cooperation
between the federal, provincial and municipal levels of
government.
"We all understand that as a society, our
first responsibility is to our
children,"
said Dr. Bountrogianni.
The $9.7 million will be shared proportionately
with regulated child care
centres
across the province. They will use these funds to make much-needed capital
improvements and purchase new equipment.
