GTA families shell out $10,000+ pa per child for care: Ajax

Ajax said Great Toronto Area (GTA) families are paying one of the highest childcare costs in Canada, with most families paying more than $10,000 annually for each kid in childcare.

Throwing its weight behind affordable childcare, Ajax Council urged the incoming federal government, Ontario, Durham Region and related institutions to work together to ease the burden on families in the GTA and Durham.

The current Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the important role childcare plays in economic security for families and early learning opportunities for children, it pointed out in a resolution adopted last Tuesday.

“All major parties in the federal election have acknowledged that affordable and sustainable childcare is required for the economic and societal development of the country,” the statement said while pointing out that the Conference Board of Canada has reported that every $1 invested in expanding early childhood education supports yields of $6 in long-term economic benefits.

Calling for building a system of early learning and childcare services that are affordable, high quality, inclusive and accessible for all families, the Ajax Council asked the incoming federal government to establish and implement a National Child Care Framework, including the reduction in full-time childcare fees and long-term goals of increasing accessibility and affordability.

It encouraged the provincial government to work in partnership with municipalities to implement any framework across Ontario. It also called for Ajax staff to actively monitor federal developments on the issue, and engage with the Region of Durham and provincial planning discussions to ensure the perspectives of Ajax families are represented.

The council shared a copy of the motion with Durham Regional Council, Ontario minister of education, Durham MPPS, all Durham MP-elects, Prime Minister-elect, federal minister for childcare and Ontario Big City Mayors.

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