OTTAWA, Ont. – The City of Ottawa must match the positive changes to its 2010 budget process with an equal commitment to increase, not chop, public child care spaces, child care advocates told a media conference today.

“The city can't balance its budget on the backs of the less fortunate,” warned Ottawa parent Vicky Smallman, whose children are enrolled in community-based child care. “There are thousands of children on waiting lists here, and we need to go forward, not backwards.

Child care supporters also announced a free community concert this coming Sunday, October 25 called “Jump Up for Public Child Care”.

“This concert series is an opportunity for parents and their children to have a fun, free afternoon with an important message that every child deserves decent, affordable early learning and care,” said CUPE Local 2204 Union Education Officer David Robbins.

The “Jump Up for Public Child Care” concert is a project of CUPE Ontario, the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care and the Ontario Federation of Labour. This free concert is family friendly and non-partisan. It will feature Quebec folk sensation Genticorum, local author Janet Lunn and treats for the kids. Sunday, October 25, 2:00-4:00 PM, Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Street.

For more information on CUPE Ontario's child care campaign, please visit www.cupe.on.ca and check out www.waitingforchildcare.ca

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Contact:

Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications: cell 416.821.6641

CUPE Ontario 305 Milner Ave. Suite 801 Scarborough ON 416-299-9739

CUPE - Ontario

Ottawa will “Jump Up” for public child care Sunday