B.C. government funds creation of 395 child care spaces in Greater Victoria

The B.C. government is providing funding to five child care providers in Greater Victoria to create 395 new licensed spaces.

The total amount funded for the Greater Victoria area in this round of funding for the ChildcareBC New Spaces Fund is $12.75 million

According to a news release, 200 of those spaces will be in Mitzi Dean’s Esquimalt-Metchosin riding.

“For decades, parents who wanted to work or attend school were left with few options. I am glad we are working to build a system where child care is accessible for everyone who wants it,” said Dean in a release.

Since ChildCareBC was launched in July 2018, the province has invested $2.7 billion in the program and created 2,152 spaces in Greater Victoria.

“We are thrilled to be part of enriching and caring for our community through the creation of a child care space on the Colwood Elementary property with investment from the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund [sic],” said Ravi Parmar, chair, Sooke School District Board of Education in a release. “Access to high-quality child care is a vital service that offers families the support they need in order to pursue their financial or educational goals. Accessible and inclusive child care is critical for healthy communities, and this new child care space that prioritizes a focus on Indigenous families will be a welcome addition to the Westshore.”

The New Spaces Fund has provided funding to child care providers to create more than 26,000 new spaces across the province, according to a news release.

In the 2022 budget, the province allocated $30 million for the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund.

READ MORE: B.C. adds 13 child care facilities on Vancouver Island to $10 a day program

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