AB NDP sought govt help for child care

Alberta's Opposition is calling for help for childcare program operators, saying some may have to shut down as COVID-19 support programs end and parents remain hesitant to return children to care centres.

NDP critic Rakhi Pancholi (RACK'-ee pan-CHOE'-lee) estimates the Children's Services Department has about 70-million dollars in surplus funds because lower subsidies are going to care centres as a result of reduced capacity due to COVID-19.

Children's Services Minister Rebecca Schulz's office says in a statement that enrolment numbers are going up, which means more parents will be accessing the subsidy programs and expenditure costs will rise.

The statement also says that with almost five months left in the fiscal year, it's premature to comment on unused funds.