Sask. NDP leadership hopeful wants universal childcare

One of the Saskatchewan NDP leadership candidates has proposed the idea of making childcare accessible to every family in the province.

Trent Wotherspoon has announced a commitment to build a universal $15 a day childcare system.

“Certainly when you make this investment it’s not just good for families, it’s good for the economy and it generates revenues for the province as well,” he explained, standing in front of a playground in Victoria Park Tuesday morning.

Wotherspoon wasn’t able to provide specifics of the plan or able to completely cost it out, saying those details would be worked on and shared in the future. He did say there would be some sort of initial upfront investment that would be needed.

However, he’s confident having childcare for each family would eventually be a boon to Saskatchewan’s economy.

“So many parents take up employment, take on further education and grow your economy and the revenues that are then returned to the province.”

It’s a similar plan to the one the federal NDP has floated in recent years.

The leadership hopeful said studies have shown that when other provinces have invested in universal childcare revenues have increased.

Wotherspoon was joined by colleague Carla Beck, NDP MLA for Regina Lakeview, who chose to endorse him for a number of reasons.

“The way that he goes about leading in a collaborative way, his willingness to get out and talk to people all across the province. He has a deep love for this province, he has a deep understanding of this province and there’s no one who works harder than Trent,” she explained.

Wotherspoon previously served as the interim leader of the party.

Beck said she’s also supporting him for his focus on investing in early learning and the fact that he chose this to be his first big campaign announcement.

Saskatoon Meewasin MLA Ryan Meili has also announced his leadership candidacy for the party.