Ontario child care advocates are celebrating today’s federal budget commitment of $30 Billion to early learning and child care. Advocates are also sending a strong message to Ontario Premier Doug Ford that Ontario must accept federal leadership on child care and work cooperatively with Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to build a real system of early learning and child care for Ontario families.

“The federal budget’s child care commitment is a lifeline for Ontario’s families, educators and the child care sector – and the Ford government must cooperate”, said Carolyn Ferns, Policy Coordinator of the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care.

“The child care sector has been badly hit by Covid-19: centres have closed, enrolment has dropped, and the child care workforce is exhausted, stressed, and still not prioritized for vaccines amid increased outbreaks” said Ferns. “The pandemic has also shown us how essential child care is to our communities and the economy. Now is the time for every level of government to work together – across party lines – to support the child care sector and build a real, Canada-wide system of early learning and care.”

The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care has long campaigned for a publicly funded child care system that provides: affordable fees for families; decent work and pay for educators; and enough spaces for all families that need them.

“Today’s federal budget commitment by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is an historic turning point that will build the system that so many child care activists have worked for decades to push for.”  said Ferns. “It’s sad that it has taken a pandemic for everyone to finally grasp how important early learning and care is, but we don’t have a moment to waste. We must all roll up our sleeves to rebuild the Ontario child care sector and make a real difference for families, for educators, and for a generation of young children who deserve to look to a brighter future.”

Contact:

Carolyn Ferns, Policy Coordinator Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 647-218-1275