Letters | Government unwilling to help young families
Published Saturday September 6th, 2008
Re: Day care issues
I am writing this as a young parent, who has had to go to work early from maternity leave while my fiance goes back to school. Both of us are trying to create a better life for our six-month-old son.
Since our son is just six-months-old, he is not able to attend the public day cares. Children have to be at least one year for most of them.
So, we were able to get him into a private day care and had tried to look into the day care assistance program, since we are a family of three living on one income.
The first time I called to apply for the program was 4:15 p.m. and they promptly told me they close at 4:30 p.m. and I'd have to call them again tomorrow.
When I was finally able to reach them, they asked the usual questions about income, etc. And, when I said my son was in a private day care, they said it couldn't be considered day care assistance.
I was told if we were to want any help at all my fiance would have to apply for a student loan and could get the money from them.
We have spent since last November putting aside money so he wouldn't have to get a student loan.
I find it extremely disappointing that a young family cannot get assistance for day care just because they are trying to pay for tuition/rent by themselves. It seems wrong that the only way they will assist you is if you put yourself in debt even more!
So, now along with our basic living expenses, we also have childcare costs which, if we pinch every penny, we should be able to cover on our own.
I find it absolutely appalling that our government is not willing to help a young family that is trying to improve themselves and set a good example for their young son!
Amanda Dunham
Fredericton
Being vigilant against crime
Re: Fighting lawlessness
Fredericton has earned the reputation as a safe and pleasant place to live.
Recent robberies motivated by drugs, along with vandalism and theft in various areas of our city have caused concern.
Vigilance against vandalism and theft remains crucial.
Our police force is co-operative and always ready to help citizens with problems.
Neighbourhood Watch, security systems, teamwork, appropriate lighting, cars and homes secured and locked are important in fighting and preventing crime.
It is always better to be on the safe side and cautious to prevent oneself from becoming a victim. Our city council, police and citizens are always ready to send a strong clear message that senseless and inappropriate actions will not be tolerated.
Pride, accountability, teamwork and responsibility all have the potential to prevent, assist and resolve the problems facing our community.
Starting a career in petty crimes can, and most often does, lead to a career in far more serious crimes down the road.
A life spent in penitentiary is certainly not an enviable one but is made very possible and highly probable, if only by a few dumb mistakes early in life.
Cathy DeLong
Fredericton
Colder weather is coming but there is little help
Re: Coping with heating bills
Well here it comes.
It's September and the cooler weather is on its way, leading to old man winter.
I would like to take this time to request of our people voted in government that they look after the health and welfare of the people who gave them their jobs.
I implore you to put in place a home heating "helping hand."
Most people in this province can't afford the power bills we pay these days, let alone buying oil or the increase because of electric heat, or the price for firewood these days.
We used to be a middle class family and, quite frankly, I will admit we have to pay our power bill every two weeks just to keep up with it.
There are also the thoughts of finding money to pay for warmth this winter.
No, we don't live an extravagant lifestyle, with two cars, and ATV, and going out.
We are a family who works, pays our taxes and our bills as best we can.
We spend three times as much on power as we pay for groceries in the run of a month.
So, on behalf of the taxpaying working "used to be middle class," I implore you to give us a hand up this winter, not a hand out.
Frank Andrew Drost
Minto, N.B.
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This is a problem in Canada today in that too many depend on the system, or expect the system, to support them. In many cases though, the government brings it on themselves. This is one reason why our taxes are so high ... the government tries to do too much for too many and the taxpayers pay for it.
I have no problem in paying taxes for federal and provincial necessities that affect all Canadians (healthcare for the most part, military, infrastructure, education, etc.), but that's where it ends. I have no interest in supporting someone else's children, or paying for someone else's elective surgery, or evacuating Canadian citizens who have gotten themselves in trouble, etc.
Our tax systems at both the federal and provincial levels need to be drastically revamped. There is too much waste.
I'm already supporting my children ... I don't need to support anyone else's. Sorry, but that's that reality of today's Canada. All expenses, especially taxes, are too high here. If the federal and provincial governments would stop wasting our money, trim the fat and reduce taxes, then all would be better for it. Our social safety net (as you call it) is more of a burden than anything. It is taken advantage of by too many and it drives our taxes through the roof.
The program is riddled with local patronage and cronyism. Its far easier to get a space if you are a professional, public servant or "connected" than if you are a single parent pulling shifts at WalMart. So much for being socially progressive.
I'll suggest that if you want to put New Brunswick firmly on the path to bankruptcy then it would be a great program to adopt.
As an aside, I've always wondered what kind of parents want unionized civil servants, even ersatz ones, raising their children anyway. It sounds to me like a formula for creating warped, institutionalized kids. The two hours a night of "quality time" certainly won't offset the damage inflicted during the day.
As for children being taken care of by civil servants - most child care workers have no formal training, and because they are paid a minimum wage you have high turnover rates. Not a good thing for children in their formative years, not a good thing for NB's future, and not a good thing for Canada, which is falling behind other developed nations in this regard. I believe the quality of care would improve substantially if programs run by civil servants replaced the patchwork of child care operations in NB.
Here's a thought - make it a $10 a day program - and cover the rest with proceeds from NB's video gambling terminals ;-)