Childcare promise rehashes old battles

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Depending on the day and who’s making the speech, this federal election is entirely unnecessary or crucial to determining Canada’s future. But on at least one issue, vital to the nation’s pandemic recovery and economic prosperity, it’s nothing more than a depressing rehash of an old battle.

Once again, a Liberal government has introduced a national plan for affordable childcare late in its term. And, once again, a Conservative leader has promised that, if elected, he’ll kill it.

This is a reprise of Canada’s 2006 election. This time, it’s Conservative leader Erin O’Toole promising to scrap the Liberals’ $10-a-day childcare plan in favour of refundable tax credits for families.

Nation-building programmes are hard and many fall short or go unfulfilled, so promises of quick cash instead always hold some appeal. O’Toole is banking on that happening again. But his tax credit won’t do what he says it will for individual families, and it won’t create the universal, affordable childcare system the economy needs.

The New Democrats’ platform also promises $10-a-day childcare, no waiting lists for parents and fair living wages for workers. The Liberals and NDP have plans that will make a difference. The Conservatives do not.