The B.C. government is offering the parents of each public school student under the age of 13 years $40 a day if the provincial teachers’ strike is not over by the start of classes in September.

Finance Minister Mike de Jong announced Thursday the cash will be paid using savings made from not having to pay teachers during the strike.

The program will cost the government about $12 million a day, which is about the same amount of money it costs to run the school system, said de Jong.

De Jong says parents will be able to claim their $40 per day per child through a website set up by the provincial government and may use the money however they see fit.

“There are costs that occur to families and parents when their children aren’t where they should be, which is in school,” said De Jong.
The B.C. government is offering parents $40 a day if classrooms remain empty in September. (CBC)

“Parents can utilize that money to acquire tutoring for their children, they can use the money to explore other educational opportunities as they see fit and for some parents, it’ll be basic daycare.”

Jim Iker felt surprised by reports Thursday morning that parents could receive $40 a day from the provincial government for children under age 13 if the teachers’ strike continues in September. “Government seems to be putting more energy into prolonging the lockout and ensuring that the dispute continues in September rather than putting their energies into agreeing to go into mediation with us so we can get a mediated deal at the bargaining table,” said Iker, president of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation.