WHITEHORSE – On Wednesday, the Yukon Party Official Opposition introduced a motion during Opposition Private Members Day that would have the Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments review the Child Care Act as well as all corresponding regulations.

The motion called for the committee to conduct public hearings, and report to the Legislative Assembly with its findings and recommendations by May 2022.

Unfortunately, the Liberal-NDP coalition voted against conducting such a review.

The previous Liberal government brought in a rushed Early Learning and Child Care plan that took effect on April 1, 2021 and had daycares, day homes and other licensed providers scrambling to sign unclear agreements just two weeks before the new rules were put in place.

This review would have identified areas where gaps need to be filled in and brought in the most up-to-date rules and regulations for Early Learning and Child Care providers.

“In speaking against the motion, the government said it was not up to politicians to review legislation, but industry experts,” said Official Opposition Leader Currie Dixon. “It is literally the job of MLAs to review legislation through the all-party committee process which includes consultation. So, the outcome of the vote is extremely disappointing.”

The Liberals have ignored calls for such a review over the past five years. They are now joined by their NDP coalition partners in not proceeding with this overdue measure.

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