Affordable child care not just about parents
THE SPECTATOR’S VIEW
A new study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives shows child-care costs for average Canadian families are increasing at three times the rate of inflation — up eight per cent since 2014. The study tracks the price of care across 28 Canadian cities for three age groups, infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Reaction to the study has been interesting. There is justifiable concern from governments, business leaders and societal observers, but many Canadians appear to be unfazed, even disdainful. As in, “Not my problem. Why should I have to contribute to child care for someone else?” And: “When I was young my mother stayed home to care for the kids — what’s wrong with that?” And even: “If you can’t afford to pay for child care, don’t have kids …”
Much of that is rooted in mean spiritedness and a recent wave of Trumpian self-involvement. But some also seems to stem from a lack of knowledge, specifically why unaffordable child care is an issue for Canada overall, not just those who need the care.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with families where one parent chooses to stay home to care for kids rather than work outside the home. In fact, many would probably choose that option if they could afford to, but choose instead to work outside the home because they cannot afford not to. Most families today need both parents working to pay the bills and have enough left over for an engaged lifestyle.
But what about families who would choose to have both parents work but can’t because child-care costs have spiralled? What about families living on the margins who would work, even in minimum wage jobs, if they could afford child care?
The fact is that affordable child care, available equitably across regions, is as much an economic issue as it is a social one. In Quebec, when the province stepped in to cap child-care rates (and subsidize providers to keep care viable and profitable, in some cases), employment rates for parents who previously stayed home skyrocketed. It turned out that many stay-athome parents really wanted to work when given the opportunity. The extra jobs boosted average household incomes along with the economy overall.
The Quebec system wasn’t perfect. It proved too expensive for the government and was changed, but Quebec families still pay the lowest rates in Canada. The Quebec model, or something like it, is worth adopting in other jurisdictions. But rather than have it happen on a patchwork basis, it should be part of a national child-care strategy, which the Trudeau government committed to during the election campaign. Apparently, there is money, something like $500 million, and a plan due as part of the next federal budget. It can’t come too soon for Canadian families who need more affordable child care and all that represents.