March 24, 2010

Another early childhood education program cancelled
due to BC Liberal cuts

VICTORIA – Success by 6, another early childhood education program, is losing its funding due to BC Liberal government budget cuts, and children in rural communities will pay the price, says Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.

Success by 6 is an early childhood development program that is dedicated to providing all children with a good start in life.  Success by 6 is a partnership between the Credit Unions of BC, the United Way and the BC government through funding provided by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. 

The Early Childhood Development Provincial Partnership which has facilitated the development of Success by 6 has clearly stated that the removal of government funding will make continuation of the program impossible.

“Success by 6 is a highly successful program that has provided tremendous benefits to children in the communities of Revelstoke, Golden, Invermere and Kimberley,” said Macdonald.  “And we all know that every dollar spent on early childhood development is an investment that pays dividends in subsequent years.”

During Question Period today, Macdonald reminded the BC Liberals of their original claims when they implemented the program in 2003.

“In 2003, this is what the government said about the program: ‘For every dollar invested in early support services for children and families, at least $2 is saved in later social costs.  For children living in high-risk situations, this early intervention can result in far greater savings,” said Macdonald in the Legislature.

“By the government’s own admission, this cut is shortsighted.  It is going to cost the province in the long run.”

But the cut to Success by 6 funding will have a further cost, especially for early childhood programs in rural communities that rely on grant monies from organizations such as the Columbia Basin Trust. 

In order to apply for grants to fund early childhood development projects, applicants must show they have access to multiple funding sources.  The money provided by the provincial government allowed Success by 6 and its partner organizations to qualify for those grants.

“The implications of this cut are far reaching,” continued Macdonald.  “There is the loss of staff and programming, but there is also the loss of the ability to leverage grant monies to fund projects that rural communities have relied on to improve the lives of children.”