A single mom, Mishayla Vandenhuvel, faces financial strain as the Affordable Child Care Benefit she relies on is delayed due to job action by the BCGEU. Juggling studies at UBC and caring for her four-year-old son, Marshall, Vandenhuvel is feeling the impact of the payment delay. Despite assurances that direct deposits wouldn’t be affected, Vandenhuvel is still waiting for her money, now two weeks late.
The province acknowledges that the BCGEU strike is causing delays in some childcare programs, especially for mailed cheques, but insists that electronic payments should not be significantly disrupted. However, Vandenhuvel expresses frustration over the uncertainty, feeling like she and her family are being held hostage by the government and the striking workers.
With mounting bills and no clear payment timeline in sight, Vandenhuvel is preparing for a challenging holiday season ahead. The province advises families to stay updated on the ChildCareBC website, but for Vandenhuvel and others in similar situations, the lack of clarity adds to the stress and financial strain.