Childcare advocates urged the federal and provincial governments on Friday to enhance the $10-per-day system while ministers in charge convened in Ottawa. Although most provinces and territories have achieved average fees of $10 per day, not all have, and space creation targets are falling behind, leading to growing waitlists. Approximately 154,000 new childcare spaces have been established since 2021, falling short of the 250,000 goal set for March.
Advocates, including Child Care Now, emphasize the importance of maintaining affordable, accessible, and predominantly nonprofit childcare systems, especially as the country works to stabilize its economy amidst global trade disruptions. Morna Ballantyne, the executive director of Child Care Now, highlighted the significant economic benefits of Canada’s $10-per-day childcare program during a news conference in Ottawa, emphasizing the role of working parents, particularly mothers, in driving the economy.
Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu, met with provincial and territorial education and early learning ministers on Friday. A spokesperson for Hajdu reiterated the federal government’s commitment to establishing a robust national childcare program, stating that these investments are essential for economic growth, supporting parents, and ensuring every child has an equal opportunity.
Some provinces, like Ontario, have requested increased federal funding for the program. Ontario specifically seeks an additional $2 billion annually from the federal government to lower parent fees to $10 per day. While the province secured an extra $695 million from Ottawa for the current year, Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra indicated that this amount would only maintain fees at the current average of $19 per day without further reductions. Ontario has also pushed for the removal of a cap on the percentage of for-profit spaces, which officials believe hinders the expansion of the $10-per-day program.
Advocates are also advocating for better compensation for childcare workers, citing low wages as a major obstacle in recruiting staff to create new childcare spaces. They stress the importance of addressing the shortage of qualified personnel to maintain existing spaces and expand capacity. Parents, like Janet Amito, express concerns about long waitlists and insufficient daycare spots, underscoring the need for increased funding from both provincial and federal governments to support educators with fair wages and accommodate families in need of childcare services.
