Liberals: Closure of YMCA Will Impact Childcare System in HRM

August 14, 2009

(Halifax, NS) Dartmouth East Liberal MLA Andrew Younger is concerned that the impending closure of the Waverly Road YMCA means 65 daycare seats may be lost, increasing the already lengthy wait for parents seeking day care spaces.

“This abrupt closure at the YMCA has forced dozens of families into a difficult position – some parents may have no choice but to leave the workforce,” says Younger. “Parents have not been given any solid explanation as to why the daycare is folding and the organization hasn’t been willing to work with the community to find a solution.”

If a solution cannot be reached before the Y closes its doors, Younger is urging the provincial government to step in and ensure these 65 child spaces remain in Dartmouth.

“Watching 65 daycare seats simply disappear will not be acceptable,” the Liberal MLA explains. “Those spaces have to be immediately replaced or the childcare system in the Halifax Regional Municipality will face immense pressures due to shrinking resources.”

Younger says the current NDP government, while in opposition, were quite vocal with their concerns when the Woodside Child Care Centre closed in 2004. He expects the same level of involvement with the YMCA situation.

“During the Woodside closure, current NDP cabinet ministers recognized then the implications of losing daycare spaces, promising to ‘not just stand by while another daycare closes’,” reminded Younger. “Standing by and watching the YMCA shut down isn’t an option for the NDP today either.”

“We know how challenging it is to find daycare spaces in Nova Scotia – the wait can be years long,” said Younger. “The loss of these spaces could mean even longer wait lists for families and that is not the direction we as a province should be moving in.”

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