If re-elected this fall, the Manitoba PC government promises to open several new childcare spaces. 

Rochell Squires, PC candidate for Riel, announced on Wednesday they would do this by acquiring new ready-to-move (RTM) childcare centres. 

“We know how big the demand for child care is. It’s growing every day, and we’re focused on getting the job done sooner for Manitoba families,” said Squires. “Our model has had a lot of success already, and we’re proud of building eight ready-to-move centres throughout the province over the past year. These were pioneered by our PC government and are a quick and efficient solution to a problem faced by provinces across Canada, which is getting more spaces built quickly.”

Squires said they would commit to four centres in Winnipeg, specifically in RIel, Fort Richmond, Kildonan and Kirkfield Park, as well as one centre in Selkirk and one in Gimli.

These new centres will create 107 spaces each, for a total of 642. They will be available to infant, preschool, and school-age children.

Additionally, while in office, the PCs increased wages for Early Childhood Educators (ECE) by $93.1 million over two years, expanded seats for the ECE training program, and created a tuition reimbursement program to ensure staffing capacity for daycares across the province.

Squires said a re-elected PC government will also expand $10-a-day daycare to include in-service days and summer holidays.

“Today’s commitment builds on our party’s relentless commitment to affordable, accessible child care,” Squires said. “Opening 642 more ready-to-move spaces will further increase that metric.”

Advance polls open on Saturday, September 23, 2023.