Family Day should also celebrate progress
Hurrah for Family Day!
On Monday we in B.C. have been given the day off to celebrate Family Day, an opportunity to share family time and fun.
The provincial government’s website offers family events across the province. What a great idea to recognize the worth and contribution families make to our society by giving them an extended weekend to spend together.
Families are also said to be a top priority for Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
It’s funny, though, how governments think. Reported estimates for B.C. show that child poverty costs the province between $8 billion and $9 billion annually while a comprehensive program to reduce such poverty would cost annually between $3 billion and $4 billion. If families really are a priority and governments really are fiscally prudent, as they say, what’s going on here?
Not only are our kids our most precious and valuable asset, they also offer the best possible return on public investment towards ensuring a strong and healthy nation.
Families can only do their part if governments are willing to create a public environment that safeguards our kids’ well-being and nurtures their growth and development.
We should be able to celebrate Family Day for the progress we make in securing a vibrant future for our children.
Then I’m sure we would enjoy the day, whatever activity we happen to participate in.
Sonya Ignatieff
Saanich
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