Childcare advocates urged the federal and provincial governments on Friday to enhance the $10-per-day system, during a meeting of responsible ministers in Ottawa. While most provinces and territories have adopted the $10 daily fee, some are lagging behind in meeting space creation targets, leading to growing waitlists. The federal government reported the creation of about 154,000 new spaces since 2021, falling short of the 250,000 target by March.
Advocates, including Child Care Now, emphasized the importance of not veering away from these goals at a time when childcare plays a critical role in boosting the economy amid global disruptions. Morna Ballantyne, Executive Director of Child Care Now, highlighted the significant economic benefits of Canada’s $10-a-day childcare program, stressing the vital role of working parents, especially mothers, in driving the economy.
Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu, convened with provincial and territorial education and early learning ministers to discuss the national childcare program. The federal government aims to make lasting investments that promote economic strength, support parents, and provide equal opportunities for all children, as stated by spokesperson Jennifer Kozlej.
Some provinces, like Ontario, have urged increased federal funding for the program. Ontario indicated a need for an extra $2 billion annually from the federal government to lower parent fees to $10 a day. Despite securing an additional $695 million from Ottawa, the province stated that it could only maintain fees at the current average of $19 a day without further reductions.
Advocates also emphasized the need for better compensation for childcare workers to address recruitment challenges and retain qualified staff. Janet Amito, a parent and member of Parents for Child Care, stressed the importance of adequate funding from both provincial and federal governments to address waitlist concerns and create sufficient childcare spaces for all families in need.
