Families need child care as the economy re-opens

As businesses and the economy continue to re-open, New Democrats are calling on the government to invest in building a universal child care and early learning system that delivers the help families need to go back to work.

“Child care is essential to restarting the economy. Parents are under even more pressure than usual because many child care providers have reduced their capacity due to physical distancing measures and schools may remain closed in the coming months. The government has to help families by ensuring child care is available and affordable to everyone in Canada.” -MP Alistair MacGregor (Cowichan–Malahat–Langford)

New Democrats are urging the Liberals to invest to stabilize the child care sector across the country, to help providers following health directives, and to create new affordable licensed child care spaces across the country.

“Canadians have been through a lot in the last few weeks. As people begin to go back to work we have to make sure they’re getting the support they need. Liberals have been promising child care since 1993 – that’s 26 years! Enough is enough. It’s time for the Liberals to stop making empty promises and actually make meaningful investments in child care.” -MP Gord Johns (Courtenay–Alberni).

New Democrats are calling on the government to finally begin working with the provinces, territories, and Indigenous governments to establish national, affordable universal child care.

“We know that a lack of suitable, affordable child care affects women in particular. They represent half the work force and more in some of the hardest hit sectors. The government needs to invest in child care so that moms are able to rejoin the workforce and help our economy recover.” -MP Rachel Blaney (North Island– Powell River)