Childcare advocates urged the federal and provincial governments on Friday to reinforce the $10-per-day system during a meeting of responsible ministers in Ottawa. While most provinces and territories have reached the $10-a-day average fee, not all have, and there are challenges in meeting space creation targets as waitlists continue to grow. The federal government reported the creation of about 154,000 new spaces since 2021, falling short of the 250,000 goal by March.
Various groups, including Child Care Now, emphasized the importance of pursuing affordable, accessible, and predominantly non-profit childcare systems. They stressed that amidst global trade disruptions and economic recovery efforts, investing in childcare is crucial for the country’s economic stability.
Morna Ballantyne, the executive director of Child Care Now, highlighted the significant economic benefits of Canada’s $10-a-day childcare program over the past five years. She emphasized the vital role of childcare in enabling more individuals, particularly mothers, to earn income and contribute to the economy.
In a meeting on Friday, Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu, along with provincial and territorial education and early learning ministers, discussed the national childcare program. A spokesperson for Minister Hajdu emphasized the long-term economic benefits of investing in childcare, supporting families, and ensuring equal opportunities for all children.
Some provinces, such as Ontario, have called for increased federal funding for the childcare program. Ontario specifically requested an additional $2 billion annually from the federal government to lower parent fees to $10 a day. Although the province received an extra $695 million from Ottawa, Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra stated that this funding would maintain fees at the current average of $19 a day without further reductions.
Advocates also stressed the need for better compensation for childcare workers to address recruitment and retention challenges. Parents and advocacy groups emphasized the urgency of increasing funding from both provincial and federal governments to address waitlists and create sufficient childcare spaces for families in need.