The childcare situation in Smithers and across the province is at an all time low, possibly the worst childcare crisis in a generation.
Although the federal and provincial governments have promised $10 a day daycare over the past two years, there are still hundreds of families in Smithers alone struggling every day to find affordable, reliable childcare.
Over the past year Smithers Council has been working with partners and consultants to draw the Smithers Child Care Plan in the hopes of cultivating the right conditions for more childcare spaces to be added in the community and for new opportunities for daycares to open up.
Last year Smithers council entered into negotiations with the YMCA of B.C. to possibly develop a new daycare in town. However, if that comes to fruition, it is at least a year-and-a-half away, leaving many parents in the lurch.
