City applies for $25,000 childcare grant in the name of research

The City of Prince George says it understand the need for more childcare spaces due to the growing population.

As a result, Mayor Lyn Hall and City Council have applied for a $25,000 grant from the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), with the intent of creating a community action plan.

City Social Planning Manager Chris Bone explained the funding will go a long way for research purposes.

“This will allow us to create an inventory of existing childcare spaces, identify some space creation targets over the next 10 years, and then to identify some actions that could be taken to meet those space creation targets.”

The last childcare assessment in PG was conducted in 2015 and contracted to UNBC, but Bone added that study did not include a full recommendation on what’s needed.

“At the time, there wasn’t enough money available to help create spaces that were required for child care, but the environment is very different in 2019 because thankfully, we know that there is funding available to help create the spaces.”

The application was submitted on Thursday; the deadline is slated for January 18th, but the City doesn’t know when they could be approved beyond that date.