This blog was originally published by www.behindthenumbers.ca and reposted here with permission of the author.

Many Canadians don’t know that Quebec has the least expensive childcare in the country at $7/day (well actually $7.30 now). Meanwhile in Toronto parents pay $49/day, and in Vancouver it’s $41 a day for toddlers/preschoolers.

It’s no surprise that $7/day childcare is wildly popular in Quebec. It’s far cheaper than the national average, and allows for more parents, and far more women to enter (or re-enter) the workforce. It also creates more spaces in regulated centres.

In Canada, there are a million families with working parents who have young children. However, there are only half a million regulated child care spaces, leaving parents with long wait times and an increased reliance on the unregulated sector.

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. I imagine that I’ll use about that many to tell the story of this particular picture and how the image of something in your mind can develop as it’s processed into a final picture.  

In my journey as an early care and learning advocate, there has been a wide range of emotions that either sparkle or sabotage each idea that I entertain. Linearly, the journey has been relatively short. I returned to school in September of 2013.

This time a week ago I was in Ottawa waiting to go on stage and speak at the Broadbent Institute’s second annual Progress Summit. The whole experience of being in Ottawa for the event along with about 900 progressive thinkers and activists from across Canada was a stimulating and invigorating experience.

To view PDF click on image

To view PDF click on image

The results are in and they’re big news! A recent province-wide poll conducted by Insights West confirms that British Columbians overwhelmingly support the $10aDay Child Care Plan.

Here are 5 important findings from the Poll, confirming that a large majority of British Columbians:

BC families face a crisis in accessing quality, affordable child care. And, the BC government has no plan to meet the needs of working families. Together, we can change this reality!

Today, the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC is pleased to launch the $10aDay Child Care Campaign web site at 10aDay.ca.

The Campaign is led by a passionate, dedicated and skilled group of volunteers and very part-time consultants. Our leadership is collective – not individual. It honours the unique contribution each of us brings to the table. We are also proud to be part of, and inspired by, the child care movement in Canada – a movement whose value of sharing can and will change the world.

The Campaign also builds on our ongoing collaboration with the Early Childhood Educators of BC to raise public awareness about the child care crisis in BC – and about our solution, the $10aDay Child Care Plan.

Check out 10aDay.ca for information about the crisis, our Plan and the benefits for:

• Children, women and families
• Employers, communities and our economy

Then, join the thousands of British Columbians working to ensure that $10aDay Child Care becomes a reality. Sign our petition, share our new site, and spread the word! 

Thank you!