CHILD CARE UPDATE - JUNE 13, 2008
Dear Child Care Colleagues:
The Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada, along with partners and members, is participating in the Women's Economic Equality Campaign sponsored by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).
June is report card month and, when it comes to child care, it's clear that more effort by governments is required. In particular, the CLC calls on the federal government to ensure equitable access to quality, affordable child care services across Canada.
Quebec remains the frontrunner in child care. With less than one-quarter (22%) of the child population, Quebec has almost one-half (45%) of the regulated child care spaces for children under 12 in Canada*.
However, the federal government's report card shows that progress outside of Quebec has been much slower. By 2005/2006:
- In total in Canada, provincial and territorial public funding for child care grew to over $2.6 billion –but only $965 million of those funds were invested outside of Quebec
- On average in Canada, public funding per regulated space was $3,259 per year – but it was only $2,146 per year outside of Quebec
- Overall in Canada, 17% of children under 12 had access to a regulated child care space –but outside of Quebec only 12% did.
*All figures excerpted or calculated from Early Childhood Education and Care in Canada, 2006