Whereas childcare spaces in Halton and across Ontario have decreased as a result of the pandemic, and the lack of childcare spaces is a barrier to our economic recovery, and an Ontario Chamber of Commerce report, “The She-Covery Project: Confronting the Gendered Economic Impacts of COVID-19 in Ontario”, confirmed that childcare is simply unaffordable and/or inaccessible for too many working families in Ontario; and
Whereas Halton Region Council unanimously supported the Notice of Motion Affordable Childcare for Halton Families tabled by Mayor Burton and Councillor O’Meara on November 17th, 2021; and
Whereas Joey Edward, Chair of the Income Security Standing Committee of Advancement of Women Halton, has stated that: “As Ontario lays the groundwork for economic recovery, the development of universal, quality, affordable, inclusive, and publicly funded childcare is necessary for a socially progressive and economically resilient society. Why? It invests in the development of Ontario’s children; it supports economic development to end the ‘she-cession’ and supports the return of women to the labour force. It pays for itself through employment and income taxes; and it eliminates parent’s financial barriers to a quality and inclusive childcare system”; and
Whereas the Federal government introduced its plan for early learning and childcare in April 2021, and made agreements with eight provinces and one territory and recently campaigned on delivering $10 a day care in five years or less; and
Whereas Ontario’s Minister of Education stated in August 2021 “We’re very committed to a good deal for Ontario, but it must respond to the unique advantages of this province”; and
Whereas the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives reported that in 2020, the median cost for an infant in full-day childcare in the GTA suburbs was between $17,400 and $19,300, and under the new national childcare plan, parents in Halton would save $14,843 a year for an infant in 2026;
Now therefore be it resolved that Burlington City Council supports the creation of accessible, quality, and affordable childcare spaces for Halton families being served in Burlington; and
That Burlington City Council encourages the Federal government and the Ontario government to reach an equitable childcare agreement that acknowledges the provincial investment in full-day kindergarten and delivers affordable and accessible childcare spaces for Ontario families; and
That a copy of this resolution be sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Premier Doug Ford, the Minister of Education for Ontario, local Members of Provincial Parliament, local Members of Parliament, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario’s Big City Mayors, the Big City Mayors Caucus (Canada), the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Ontario Coalition for Better Childcare and the Advancement of Women Halton.