Saskatchewan is moving further away from the promise of affordable and accessible child care, according to advocates meeting in Regina on Monday.

CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson says the Sask. Party’s decision to end tuition-free training for early childhood educators II and III, freezing the creation of new child care spaces, and introducing new fees will worsen existing challenges across the sector.

The chair of Child Care Now, Cara Werner says child care centres are already struggling with rising operating costs and funding that does not reflect the true cost of providing care.

CUPE Saskatchewan and Child Care Now want the provincial government to reverse the July 1st cuts, restore affordability, expand child care spaces, conduct a full review of the funding model, and invest in a strong child care work force.

The first town hall was held Monday evening in Regina.