This week I had the opportunity to attend the province wide conference of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
During one of the AMO sessions I along with my colleague, Councillor Keith Egli, Chair of Ottawa Public Health and Vice Chair of Community and Protective Services, had the opportunity to ask questions directly to Steve Lecce, Ontario Minister of Education regarding the need for affordable, quality childcare in our city.
As the Liaison for Women and Gender Equity I pointed out the importance of affordable, quality childcare particularly for working women who have faced many barriers joining the workforce. During the pandemic many women were forced to leave their jobs because of the lack of childcare available. This had a negative effect on our economy and the well being and long term earnings of these women. Childcare allows both women and men to be productive participants of our economic community. I urged the Provincial Minister to sign on to the federal proposal for affordable quality childcare for all.
I’d like thank Mayor Watson and Councillor Egli for their support in sending a letter to Minister Lecce on this very important issue asking the Province to continue to work with the City in developing a thoughtful approach to address these issues that impact residents and our economic recovery growth.