CHILD CARE AND THE ECONOMY
Public investment in quality, universal child care services provides an immediate economic stimulus while creating a social capital legacy that will support families, the labour force and the Canadian economy well into the future – if, and only if, child care services are publicly-owned and community-led.
For more information on how increased public investment in child care services would strengthen our economy both in the short-term and long-term, please consult our:
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Open Letter to the Federal Leaders of Canada's Parties (January 20)
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2008 submission to the federal pre-budget consultation: Child Care Services: Economic Stimulus with Long Term Benefits for Canada (December 2008)
Further Resources
Polling results issued by the Rideau Institute show that “a significant number of Canadians believe the main focus of Budget 2009 should be creating jobs and supporting those who have lost their jobs”. Furthermore, the federal budget should reflect broad consultation and input, beyond the business community.
Alternative Federal Budget Fiscal Stimulus Plan issued by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) proposes a federal injection of 2% of GDP into the economy, or $33 billion, which is consistent with international recommendations. The Plan protects Canadians who experience loss of income and addresses Canada’s hard and soft infrastructure requirements, including $2.2 billion for child care services. The CCPA has released the full Alternative Federal Budget. Click on the banner below to see the full version or the brief.
Federal Early Childhood Policy Guide For The First 100 Days – a policy brief from the U.S. National Institute for Early Education Research - provides guidance on federal investments in preschool and child care for the sake of America’s children and was written at the request of President Obama’s transition team.
News Articles
Liberals would boost child care despite deficit (The Globe and Mail – 02 Feb 2010)
Deficit won't stop spending on child care, Ignatieff vows (CTV.ca – 01 Feb 2010)
Child care seen as a long-term economic fix (Times and Transcript, Moncton, NB, 22 Jan 2009)
Paying more attention to daycare demands (The Leader-Post, Regina, SK, 22 Jan 2009)
Need and stimulus in harmony (The Globe and Mail, ON, 20 Jan 2009)
As jobs tonic, big digs may be a thing of the past (Globe and Mail, ON, 14 Jan 2009)
Early education key to economic recovery (Herald Net/Washington state news, U.S.A., 27 Dec 2008)