Daycare policies make children a luxury
Cowichan Valley Citizen
April 11, 2007
Opinion -- By: Marcia Stobbart

Women and children are still at the back of the bus! Its amazing reading the rhetoric: the reason for Canada's low birthrate is because the feminist movement rescued women from the baleful responsibilities of motherhood. Further, that a woman's place is in the home, caring for her children!

Many women would be pleased to do just that. But it's different in today's world and both parents, without high expectations, must work to maintain a decent standard of living. Most earnings don't allow for luxuries with net income after deductions vastly different from the gross (income tax, Federal and Provincial, UIC, CPP and other taxes). Consequently, people often experience difficulty in just paying the mortgage or rent.

What does it take for governments to understand that without families there would be no society? Families, as we once knew them, are rapidly disappearing with one child the average per family, and more single women than married. Obviously, the reasons are complex but aren't there greater pressures than ever for married couples, with the cost of living almost reaching a point of no return? Having children in today's world could be considered a luxury.

Canada's birth rate steadily dropped these past years with the exception of 'la belle' Quebec. There, wiser heads prevailed. To increase their population status, Quebec granted a $2,091 family allowance for the first child, as well other social programs.

Nationally, studies indicate two million children currently are under the age of six, with 50 per cent or better registered in daycare, but only 25 per cent of those are government-subsidized. The federal National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth stated significant increases since 1995 for 75 per cent of the children are now in some form of care.

In 1970, the federal Liberal government proposed a universal, affordable, day-care program. Again those promises were made in 1984 and 1988. In 1997 Quebec provided its own day-care system. In 2001, Quebec had 235,000 subsidized spaces, more than a third of the total for Canada.

The Liberals promised $5 billion towards 250,000 spaces, based on Quebec's system, but they couldn't deliver: a promise or vote inducement?

This Conservative government did grant a $100 monthly cheque per child (before taxes) but the lower income earner must claim both the benefit and child for tax purposes. Who benefits tax-wise?

Day-care fees vary widely from Quebec's $7 per day subsidized daycare to up to $1,500 monthly, depending upon the program. University of Toronto economists reported quality of care at non-profit day care averaged 10 per cent better than for-profit day commercial care centres. However, I personally know of a Cobble Hill sole-proprietor day-care centre whose care is excellent.

Disadvantaged families are in dire need, for without day care they can't take children to work nor leave them behind. How then do they support themselves? Most mothers must work and is it not a government's duty to care for its people and to ensure children's rights to care and education?

If Canada can afford to embrace and fund immigrants, and send money to farflung places for work projects of little value, then its past time the children's and their mothers' needs be recognized. Or do they stay at the back of the bus? Or do we operate day-care centres out of our closed schools?