B.C. denies legislature’s daycare funding bid, citing lower need in Victoria area. Officials say the project may reapply under future funding rounds.
A proposal to establish a child-care facility at the British Columbia legislature has been put on hold after the provincial government denied a funding request, citing lower need in the Victoria area.
The application, submitted by the legislature in February 2024, sought support through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund. However, Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare confirmed that the application was unsuccessful in the most recent intake.
Ministry Cites Higher Need in Other Regions
Minister Beare said the application was reviewed alongside others and was not selected because the Victoria neighbourhood near the legislature is already well served by existing child-care facilities.
“Other areas that had a higher need were prioritized in this intake,” Beare stated. “There are no optics, because it is exactly based on need.”
The latest round of the New Spaces Fund allocated over $62 million to support 750+ new licensed child-care spaces across 12 locations in B.C.
Project Remains Ready, But Timeline Unclear
Despite the setback, the Legislative Assembly Office says the project remains in a “state of readiness.” According to Clerk Kate Ryan-Lloyd, staff are preparing alternative options for the committee responsible for legislative administration and financing.
The proposed child-care facility would include a one-storey modular building operated by a not-for-profit provider. The estimated capital cost is $2 million, with an additional $195,000 earmarked for playground equipment.
Next Steps: Awaiting Future Application Window
While there is no clear timeline for the next round of applications, Beare confirmed that her ministry is in contact with the legislature and will advise when the project can reapply.
“We will absolutely let them know when it is time to apply again,” she said, adding that the ministry is still actively rolling out new spaces across the province.
A 2023 report indicates that child-care services for legislative staff and party caucus workers would be prioritized over members of the legislative assembly.
Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for ongoing updates on child-care policy, provincial funding decisions, and developments within the B.C. legislature.
