The National 2005-12-06 (Segment 007)

• Published in: The National - CBC Television
• Format: Transcript
• Language: English
• Published: Toronto Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 06.12.2005

Liberals have been promising some version of national childcare for decades. Long before these kids were born, it was pledged specifically in the 1993 Liberal Red Book. Now, after twelve years of Liberal government, [PAUL MARTIN] tells a friendly crowd it is in the works, thanks to the agreement his government signed with all the provinces. That agreement was for five billion dollars over five years. Now the Liberals are promising six billion more for the following five years, money for childcare spaces or subsidies, however the provinces see fit to spend. What if 40 years ago, my father, Tommy Douglas, subsequently Lester Pearson, what if they had said, "We don't need health insurance; we don't need Medicare. I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to give you 25 dollars, and you go shift for yourself." Well, where would we be today if that's what those people had done faced with the situation then?