Mr. Speaker, child care is essential in supporting families and shaping a healthy childhood. I want to congratulate the Halifax YWCA, which announced it will be opening a licensed non-profit child care in Spryfield. Until it is built, there remains no licensed child care in this area, an area with one of the highest proportions of single parents in all of Canada.
This project is a result of true community spirit and action. While it will not open until 2012, there is already a waiting list. The demand is evident in every part of Canada, and the NDP has a solution to ensure fairness for all families.
Our plan includes passing the NDP's national child care act and establishing a network of high-quality, licensed, not-for-profit child care spaces in every community in Canada.
We know that the early years of life are the most crucial in a child's development, and many families need help providing this, especially in tough economic times.
We must make universal child care a priority and a reality. The time to act is now.