Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Alberta, Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia, information about daycare inspections is posted online. Parents and the broader public in those jurisdictions can freely scrutinize whether a daycare facility is in good standing with government regulations.
CBC recently filed an access to information request for five years’ worth of child care inspection reports in the Northwest Territories. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment put a $3,000 price tag on retrieving these records. When CBC modified the request, asking for only records since 2012, the cost was lowered to $1,700. Sadly, the government decided to put a hefty price tag on information that is vital to public interest, and a bit of a back-story will demonstrate just how grievous that is.
Since 2010 the department has been under fire from the Auditor General on daycare inspections. By law, the government is required in inspect facilities annually, but the AG found long gaps between inspections. For up to half of the facilities, the government wasn’t keeping track of compliance, and in response to the AG findings, the department promised to inspect facilities annually.
In 2012 the AG followed up and once again the department was given an unsatisfactory grade. The reason was appalling. The department had managed to bring inspections nearly up to date but by only glossing over major violations. Things like blocked fire exits, electrical outlets left uncovered and chemicals within reach of small children. The Auditor General was so concerned that she ceased the audit and sent a letter directly to the deputy minister for immediate action. To this day we are still following up on many issues of this audit and are still concerned at gaps in our system.
About 70 percent of our child-bearing Canadian women are employed in the workforce. Their families’ needs for high-quality daycare facilities cannot be overstated. However, if our jurisdiction can’t even meet minimum standards, what hopes
do we have of providing our youngsters with safe, healthy and stimulating care?
I will have questions later today for the Minister involved. Thank you.