National Child Care: It's About Time

Talking about the prospects and benefits of national child care in Canada

After nearly 20 years of delay by various governments of the past on instituting a national child care program. This election has likely affirmed the completion of a national child care program in Canada. From advocates in Chretien’s governments to Paul Martin’s commitment with signed agreements - which eventually Harper cancelled. Constant nagging for a national child care system from business leaders, unions, child care advocates, and progressives - this particular government seems to have cracked the code and is willing to deliver.

One of the key policies that Trudeau’s government will be known for will be instituting a national child care program. Increasing access by boosting the number of total child care spaces, ensuring quality public child care spaces through universal standards, and most of all; offering affordable child care for working parents.

The positive consequences of this policy cannot be understated. Women can be more ambitious, they no longer will have to make the impossible choice between expensive child care and their work. Women now have an affordable option to provide their children with proper child care without sacrificing years of their careers.

Having more women working has many ripple effects on the economy: a more productive workforce, increase in productivity which in turn increases GDP, increase in government tax revenues as income tax revenue increases from more people working, increased normalization of young women working, economic opportunity for women, etc. For proof, look no further than Quebec - which already has a provincially subsidized child care system - Quebec has one of the highest participation of young women (18-34) working in the world. Yes, the world, not just Canada.

I am likely understating some of the economic as well as social benefits of a national child care program. But be sure that this program is one of the best policies that Trudeau’s government will implement because it will have permanent effects on Canada and Canada’s economy. And I am afraid that this policy will go under the radar amongst voters who may not fully understand the benefits of child care policies due to a lack of knowledge. It is an underrated policy of sorts, one that is a hidden gem among a pile of rocks of decent and sometimes subpar policies enacted by the Trudeau government.

A great policy that became one of the key reasons I voted for Trudeau in this election. Even if Trudeau only had this one policy in his 2021 election platform, I would’ve still voted for him. That is how much I value a national child care system.

Also, forget Trudeau, the real credit to this child care policy should be given to the Deputy PM and Finance Minister - Chrystia Freeland. It was her vision to implement a national child care system before it became part of Trudeau’s platform. It was reported by various news outlets that she went against Trudeau’s wishes to avoid new increases in permanent spending in the budget and went ahead anyway with introducing new permanent spending with child care.

All credit goes to Freeland (and Trudeau I guess) for changing the course of women for the better in this country forever.