Childcare agreement welcomed in the Hat
By LAUREN THOMSON Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 23, 2021.
lthomson@medicinehatnews.com On Nov. 15, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Jason Kenney announced both governments had reached an agreement to support $10-a-day care for children under six years old. In an email to the News, Glen Motz, Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner, said he was satisfied to learn that Alberta and the federal government have signed an agreement to create 40,000 additional child-care spaces in the province and that within five years the funding will lower the average cost of day care to $10-a-day. “This agreement is a good first step towards reducing the cost of raising a child in Alberta,” Motz said. “Unfortunately, it will take nearly the full five years to achieve the Liberals’ promise of daycare for $10-a-day, plus I am unaware of any funding commitment past 2026.” Motz says the flexibility the province was able to negotiate with the federal government to include all types of licensed childcare into the funding program and not just non-profit daycares as was originally proposed, “was a real achievement,” as now preschools, private daycares and licensed family day homes caring for children kindergarten age and younger will be supported through the program. “With many Albertans beginning to see the impact of rising inflation across all aspects of life, while salaries remain steadfast, reducing childcare costs is a good first step towards helping families manage through these difficult economic times,” he said. Jennifer Usher, co-ordinator of Medicine Hat and District Child Care Association, spoke to the News following the announcement. “This is a real historic moment for families here in Alberta to be able to access childcare that’s going to be affordable, accessible and inclusive,” said Usher. “We’re really excited for the families here in Medicine Hat and across southeast Alberta.” Usher explained the current average cost of childcare in the region, saying it ranges from around $700 to more than $1,000 per month. “Families are definitely going to be saving significant amounts of money,” Usher said. “I’ve heard many families say that they would like to return back to work but it isn’t financially feasible if they have one or two children that would have to be in childcare, so I think it definitely opens up women and men returning to work more often if they so choose, or even going back to school.” Usher hopes for an increase in wages for the workers and says the change will benefit the economy, with more money going other places rather than childcare. Usher cautioned that new childcare locations created need to continue to be “high quality and served by educators who have the foundational knowledge they need in early learning and childcare to work best with children and families. I think we have to really look at building those spaces and making sure they’re accessible, high quality and culturally responsive.” “We know that the early years are the time that children are building their brains and building that foundation for all their future learning and they’re experiencing the world and learning to make meaning from it,” said Usher. “I really think (early child care and education) is a vital choice for families to have if they choose to do that.” 14-13
