City of Kelowna employees could soon have its own day care facility. City Council Monday directed staff to investigate a possible space for a City of Kelowna employee day care facility. Such a facility would also include children of RCMP personnel. The prospect of an employee day care was one of a number of recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Community and Women's Issues. 'This is not a social issue. Childcare is an economic issue," says Committee Chair, Carol Gran. "Issues like child care have always been seen in a social vain and really, if employers today want to have happy, involved employees, they are going to have to be part of providing child care for these families." Councillor Michele Rule stressed the day care would not be subsidized by the city or its taxpayers. "There would be no need for the City of Kelowna to subsidize this," says Rule. "It's just a matter of providing a space that would then get paid for by the fees." Mayor Sharon Shepherd, says the day care space would be provided and employees would still be responsible to pay for the service. Gran says the City needs to lead by example when it comes to providing childcare facilities. "It will be a daunting task, but I think we can do it. I'm sure our City Manager would be the first to says that it is one of the ways that we will get the better employees to come and work for us."
City Councillor, Barrie Clark says the city should go one step further and provide the day care free of charge. "With deference I would say we are not going far enough. I have never been able to understand why, when you want to make an employees job attractive, you provide a good office, a good desk, the best of computer equipment and a car if necessary," says Clark. He says if the city is going to be at the forefront, it should not require the employee to pay for the service. "To me, we should go the next step and say it is one of the benefits of working for the City of Kelowna that day care is provided for its employees. I'm one taxpayer who would happily contribute to that." Shepherd says there are currently more than 140 children being raised by city staff. The advisory committee also recommended that staff investigation creation of a policy regarding childcare amenities in exchange for a density bonus on rezoning application involving both commercial and multi-family residential proposals. Council unanimously endorsed the recommendations.
Poll Results Yes
33 No
274 Undecided
10 Total Votes: 317
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