The Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC (CCCABC) welcomes the federal government’s announcement of an additional $5.4 Billion over two years to help the national $10-a-day child care system with cost pressures.

The announcement also confirmed, “Government recognizes affordable child care as a driver of the economy” and that “Affordable child care is essential infrastructure that helps build a stronger Canada.” Advocates have been making this economic case for decades.

“New federal funding sends our BC government a strong message,” said Sharon Gregson, from the CCCABC, “the new money is about ensuring progress that has already been made, such as on lowered fees and access to new spaces, is not lost - but also that further progress is essential.”

While other provinces have moved ahead with system-wide affordability and sector wage grids, BC is falling behind. Only BC and the Yukon have neither capped fees for families or introduced a wage grid for educators. ALL other provinces and territories have one or both!

All child care in Manitoba and Saskatchewan is $10/day. Alberta sets fees at $15/day, and even in Ontario, fees for families are capped at $22/day – a reasonable step towards $10aDay.

In BC, we still have families paying up to $100/day for child care. “Why is it that Alberta and Ontario can do more for their families with the same level of federal funding?” asked Gregson.

“The journey toward a universal system is at a crossroads in our province," said Eric Swanson, parent and child care researcher. “$10aDay expansion has been paused, early childhood educators are still waiting for an equitable wage grid, and we’re missing an opportunity to put child care - and its proven benefits - at the centre of BC’s economic strategy,” he added.

The CCCABC is calling on the BC government to use the new federal investment, and add new provincial funding to:

●      Implement a province-wide low-capped fee: Take reasonable steps towards a $10aDay maximum fee for all families.

●      Implement a provincial wage grid: Fund a salary scale of $35-45/hour plus benefits for Early Childhood Educators to solve the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis.

●      Give school districts a mandate & funding to plan and expand child care:  Collaboratively develop and implement community plans for equitable expansion of quality care for children.

“This new, short-term funding infusion is a start to moving things forward. Now we need the BC and federal governments to deliver on their $10aDay commitments”, said Gregson.