Despite Growing Child Care Crisis, BC Liberal Government Underspends Child Care Budget by $100 million

The BC government repeatedly responds to concerns about the growing child care crisis by claiming ‘we can’t afford to do more’. Yet, their own public reports show that they haven’t even spent the minimal funds they committed to child care over the last four years. Child care underspending totals almost $100 million, with $48 million underspent last year alone.

“This is shocking” states Sharon Gregson, spokesperson for the $10aDay Child Care Plan. “BC’s child care budget is already far below international standards. It’s outrageous to know that our government didn’t make sure that every dollar promised to child care was spent. $100 million could have made a real difference for BC families.” 

The analysis of BC’s public reporting was carried out by Lynell Anderson, CPA, CGA. “Underspending of the child care budget has grown each year since 2013” explains Anderson. “Despite inflation, the growing child population, and an increase in the budget allocation for child care, the BC government reports that actual spending was the same in 2016 as in 2013.”

With an average of $25 million underspent annually, the BC Liberals Budget 2017 announcement of a $20 million increase for child care in 2017/18 lacks credibility. And, they propose to create 8,000 new spaces over the next three years, yet the population is projected to increase by 18,000 children. 

Clearly, the child care crisis will continue to grow under the plan put forward by the BC Liberals in their 2017 Budget. Their approach stands in stark contrast to the child care election platforms put forward by the BC NDP, who've committed to the popular $10aDay Plan, and the BC Green Party, both of whom have made substantive commitments to solving the child care crisis in BC.

BC Government Public Reports Show Consistent Underspending on Child Care

Prepared by: Lynell Anderson, CPA, CGA

Early Years Services ($ millions) *

*Figures directly from Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) Annual Service Plan reports downloaded April 7, 2017.  In each year, underspending on child care is the primary explanation for government spending less than the full budget commitment to Early Years Services core business area (also described as Early Childhood Development and Child Care Services).   http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/ministries/children-and-family-development/annual-report

Notes:

1. MCFD, 2015/16 Annual Service Plan Report, p. 17
2. MCFD, 2014/15 Annual Service Plan Report, p. 14
3. MCFD, 2013/14 Annual Service Plan Report, p. 33
4. MCFD, 2012/13 Annual Service Plan Report, p. 30