St. John’s, NL (June 4, 2025) – Tony Wakeham, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and MHA for Stephenville – Port au Port, is speaking out today about the Liberals’ silence around early childhood education spaces.

After more than a week since writing the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development regarding critical delays in the creation of new childcare spaces in Western Newfoundland, Wakeham is speaking out once again – this time about delays in the creation of spaces province-wide.

“This silence from the Liberal government speaks volumes,” said Wakeham. “Not only has the Minister failed to reply to my letter, but I’m also hearing that the Liberals are failing to reply to individuals who want to create new early childhood education spaces, which our province desperately needs,” said Wakeham.

Since publicly raising the issue last week, Wakeham has been informed of similar situations across the province involving application delays and minimal response from the government. Most recently, local media reported that a daycare operator wants to create 100 spaces in Conception Bay South but is waiting on the Liberals.

“The Liberals still have not taken meaningful action to support the proponents trying to expand childcare capacity. Families are waiting. Communities are waiting. And the Liberals are doing nothing,” continued Wakeham.

In a release on May 26^th, Wakeham highlighted two proposed childcare projects in the Bay St. George region— one led by the Mi’kmaw Cultural Foundation and another by Rhonda Sheppard of St. George’s— that remain stuck in bureaucratic limbo. Both proponents are still waiting for approvals that should have been processed months ago.

“The Liberals’ inaction is unacceptable,” said Wakeham. “They were quick to make promises on $10-a-day childcare, but slow to make it work. A Progressive Conservative government would remove these roadblocks and support community-driven solutions—not ignore them.”

Wakeham repeated his party’s commitment to childcare. “A Progressive Conservative government under my leadership would not only maintain $10-a-day childcare, but also implement a more flexible and responsive system—one that removes red tape, truly works for families, and meets the needs of local communities.”