Federal Infrastructure Spending Must Include Child Care and Early Learning Services to Stimulate Economy and Keep Canada Working

Federal Infrastructure Spending Must Include Child Care and Early Learning Services to Stimulate Economy and Keep Canada Working

For immediate release

January 28, 2009

OTTAWA – The Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF) is extremely disappointed that today’s Federal Budget fundamentally denies Canada’s families and workforce the support they need for early learning and child care. Billions of dollars will be going into building Canada’s physical infrastructure, but key workforce supports such as the child care sector have been neglected once again. Child care and early learning services are inherently part of our society’s infrastructure and the lack of accessible quality child care creates even more barriers for families trying to stay afloat in the workforce. 

“At this critical time when Canada is entering into unprecedented economic turbulence, Canada’s government has again failed to understand the realities of Canadian families. Investing in building Canada’s infrastructure and training people for new jobs will mean that more than ever, families will need access to safe, affordable and quality child care services, yet this budget does nothing to address this continued reality,” said Don Giesbrecht, President of the CCCF.

The CCCF is not alone in its call for national leadership and a pan-Canadian plan for early learning and child care services. In December 2008, the Canadian Paediatric Society called upon the Government of Canada to take a leadership position in developing a national child care strategy and a UNICEF report tied Canada for last of 25 OECD countries in the evaluation of early learning and child care services. UNICEF also called upon the Government of Canada to take action for a national system. Within this economic storm, such a cohesive strategy is a necessary driver for not only today’s economy, but for investing in tomorrow’s economy.

“It is apparent that Canada’s current federal government continues to address early learning and child care as a partisan issue rather than as a critical contributor to the Canadian economy. While all other political parties see the value and need for quality child care services across Canada, families will continue to rely on a patchwork of services that do not adequately support Canada’s workforce. That is a tragedy,” said Mr. Giesbrecht.

Canada’s largest early learning and child care organization, CCCF is a federation of 20 provincial/territorial organizations from across the country, representing 11,000 members – practitioners, academics, parents and policy makers. CCCF is committed to  excellence in early learning and child care through best and promising practice, capacity building, and collaborations, networks and partnerships. For more information, visit www.qualitychildcarecanada.ca

Media contact:
Don Giesbrecht,
President of CCCF,
(204) 889-9858
Cell: 204-223-9369