Oxfam Canada’s statement in support of $10 a Day Early Learning and Child Care
Oxfam Canada is concerned about recent protests by a small group of for-profit child care operators in Ontario attempting to halt and reverse the significant progress made since the introduction of the $ 10 a Day plan.
“Thousands of families have benefited from the $10 a Day plan, and many more want to be have access to it. Quality child care is a public good that cannot be left to a market approach where only those with the financial means have access to it. The for-profit operators cannot expect to receive public funding to increase their profit margins,” said Diana Sarosi, Oxfam Canada’s Director of Policy, Campaigns and Communications.
Any push to revert to a system characterized by high fees and limited access does not reflect the views of the majority of child care providers, who are committed to the success of the $10 a Day program and have chosen not to participate in temporary closures that hurt families.
Oxfam Canada strongly supports the $10 a Day plan, a transformative initiative making high-quality and affordable child care more accessible to all families. Since its launch in 2021 under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreements (CWELCC), this program has garnered overwhelming support from Canadians. In its short implementation period, families have experienced significant fee reductions, more licensed child care spaces for children under six have been created, wages for early childhood educators have risen, and both licensed for-profit and non-profit operators have benefited from increased public funding. This plan is good for children, good for families and good for Canada’s economy.
We believe that public funds should serve the public good, and increasing the profit margins of for-profit-providers will not result in more child care spaces or improve child care workers’ compensation as we have seen in the past. Instead, it left thousands of families unable to access affordable child care and having to make difficult choices as a result. Public oversight and accountability are essential for creating an inclusive system that serves all children, regardless of their families’ financial situations.
Oxfam Canada stands in solidarity with child care workers, families and other advocates in calling for continued improvements to and expansion of the $10 a Day plan. Governments at all levels should increase public funding to address rising operational costs, establish equitable salary scales and benefits for child care workers, and expand more not-for-profit and public child care to reduce waitlists. We need more high-quality, affordable child care—not less.