[FONT size=5]Harper dares opposition to block child care plan[/FONT]
If opposition parties don't like his government's proposed child-care allowance, they can vote against the government's forthcoming budget, says Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
"We were elected on this, we ran on this, we know it's popular," Harper told reporters in Burnaby, B.C.
"We know it's particularly popular with parents who have pre-school children, so we are going to proceed with it."
Budgets or money-related bills are considered votes of confidence in the government. If the Conservative government was defeated on its budget, an election would be triggered. The last one was held Jan. 23.
"So I hope the opposition considers the alternatives very carefully," Harper said.
The Tory plan delivers a $1,200 per year child-care allowance for each child under six. The program is one of the government's five key priorities.
The prime minister, attending a discussion at a Burnaby community centre, told people his plan:
[UL] [LI]Requires no federal-provincial negotiations; [LI]No funding for academics, researchers or special interest groups; [LI]Cuts out the bureaucratic middleman[/LI][/UL] "It provides real support, it provides direct payment, and it will be ready to go to as soon as Parliament approves it," he said.
The former Liberal government's approach was to negotiate federal-provincial agreements to develop new regulated child-care spaces.
Asked if he was afraid the opposition parties wouldn't support his plan, Harper said, "there's been a lot of beating of chests, particularly by the Liberal Party."
There seemed to be two distinct schools of criticism emerging, he said.
"The NDP and the Bloc are saying the program doesn't go far enough or doesn't pay enough, and they're suggesting some ways to make sure families get the benefit they should. And we're interested in looking at those changes.
"But the Liberal Party is opposing to the idea of paying parents at all."
The Liberals promised $5 billion over five years to develop a national child-care program. The feds and all 10 provinces signed deals, with Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec signing five-year agreements. However, each side can opt out with one year's notice.
In addition to cash for parents, the Conservatives pledged to create 125,000 new daycare spaces by offering $250 million in tax credits for businesses and non-profit groups that create new spaces.
Critics say similar provincial programs didn't work.
Harper said 80 per cent of the budget for the child-care plan will go to parents.
The other 20 per cent is for space creation. That will go ahead after consultations.
"It's going to take us a year to put the space creation plan in place. But as I say, we're willing to consult with parents on the best way to proceed over this year," he said.
