Childcare advocates are urging the federal and provincial governments to reinforce the $10-per-day system during a meeting of responsible ministers in Ottawa. While most provinces and territories have adopted the $10-a-day fee structure, some have not, and the targets for creating new spaces are falling behind with growing waitlists. The federal government reported the creation of about 154,000 new spaces since 2021, below the target of 250,000 by March.
Child Care Now and other advocates are emphasizing the importance of not veering away from the affordable, accessible, and primarily non-profit system goals. They stress that as the country navigates economic challenges due to global disruptions, childcare plays a crucial role.
Morna Ballantyne, executive director of Child Care Now, highlighted the significant economic benefits of Canada’s $10-a-day childcare program in just five years. She emphasized the essential role of childcare in enabling more mothers to work and contribute to the economy.
Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu convened with provincial and territorial ministers of education and early learning to discuss the national childcare program. A spokesperson for Hajdu emphasized the long-term benefits of investing in a robust childcare system that supports families and children.
Some provinces, like Ontario, are advocating for increased federal funding to achieve the $10-a-day fee target. Ontario has requested an additional $2 billion annually from the federal government to reduce parent fees. While the province received an extra $695 million from Ottawa, it aims to maintain fees at the current average of $19 a day.
Advocates are also calling for better wages for childcare workers to address staffing challenges hindering the creation of new spaces. Janet Amito, a parent and member of Parents for Child Care, stressed the urgency of fair wages for educators to alleviate waitlist pressures and ensure sufficient childcare availability for families.