Meanwhile, back in the real world...

The NDP continues its mission to show that it's possible to work toward getting things done in Parliament, unveiling plans for child-care legislation modelled on the Canada Health Act:

“We aim to enshrine childcare in Parliament through this National Childcare Act just as healthcare has been enshrined with the Canada Health Act. As with healthcare, childcare must become a cornerstone of Canada,” said Chow. “Only through legislation can we protect and build on the existing childcare agreements the federal government has forged with the provinces.”

“The NDP will put forward legislation based on the principles of quality, universality, accessibility, educational development and inclusiveness,” said Chow. “This legislation will ensure two-way accountability between the federal and provincial governments.”

The NDP's strategy should offer a nice contrast to Harper's "money without accountability" angle on child care. And while it's doubtful that the NDP plan will pass given the Bloc's likely preference for free money for its home province, the legislation will both help to highlight the importance of the existing child-care deals, and ensure that the issue won't die away before the next Canadian election.