NDP leads charge for $15 per day childcare in Ontario

Ontario's New Democrats were able to pass a motion Nov. 18 calling on Ontario to support a universal plan for $15-per-day child care.

The leadership of Ontario New Democrats has ensured that Ontario officially endorses the $15-a-day child-care plan put forward by Tom Mulcair and the federal NDP, said a news release.

“I’m proud that Ontario is sending a clear message of support for $15-a-day child care here in Ontario,” said Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath. “As a mom, I know what that means. Universal affordable child care will help families, and help our economy grow. It’s good for parents and it’s good for children, plain and simple.”

Horwath noted that the federal Liberals have repeatedly broken promises to create a universal child-care system, and Horwath’s motion links to commitments made by the Federal NDP to create universal $15-per-day child care across the country.

“Families in Ontario pay an average of $1,152 per month for one child-care space, while families in Quebec pay an average of $152 per month. Ontario needs to do better,” said Horwath “The fact is that every child, regardless of where they live or how much their family makes, deserves access to high-quality and affordable child care.”

In the last election, New Democrats were the only party to promise an increase in child-care funding every year linked to inflation, on top of immediate increased investment.