MINISTER CALLS FOR COMMUNITY VOICE ON CHILD CARE

Learning Minister Deb Higgins will meet with early learning and child care representatives from all over the province tomorrow afternoon at the Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza in Regina. The meeting will begin at 3 o'clock and a telephone link will be made available for those stakeholders who are unable to make the trip to Regina.

The federal government has decided to end the province's Early Learning and Child Care Agreement-in-Principle on March 31st, 2007. The Minister wants to hear the representatives' opinions regarding that decision.

"People in Saskatchewan's early learning and child care community were active partners in creating a made-in-Saskatchewan plan," Higgins said. "They were very supportive when the Agreement-in-Principle was announced on April 29th, 2005. This was a step they had been working for and many of them told us how pleased they were to finally see this moving forward."

Now Higgins wants to hear the community voice again. "While some have already shared their opinions in the media and with government, I want to meet with the early learning and child care community face-to-face and hear what they have to say. These are dedicated people who work with children and families every day. With the Agreement-in-Principle in jeopardy, it is vital that we hear from them now."

The intent of the Agreement-in-Principle was to fund the province in building a made-in-Saskatchewan system of early learning and child care – one that would make quality programs and services accessible to more families.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jacquie McLean Learning Regina Phone: (306) 787-5609 Cell: (306) 535-2261