'If the goal is to provide excellent care for all children, a public system is the most cost-effective; it's really the only viable option.'
After decades of contentiousness, it's surprising how quickly Canada's new national child-care program has become as familiar and comfortable as your dog's favourite squeeze-toy.
The plan is being hailed as an important first step that could lead to the development a strong, public child-care system—with strict limits on private profit-making.Ontario is the lone provincial holdout, but the Doug Ford government has signalled negotiations with the feds are going wellThis has prompted accusations that Ford is deliberately stalling negotiations so the new program can be announced closer to the provincial election this spring.
And, of course, once implemented, social programs quickly become popular, making it difficult for conservative governments to scale them back. Compare this to Canada, where child care, when available, is often housed in makeshift quarters, with few resources and underpaid staff.Of course, right-wingers argue that child care should be an individual responsibility. That's fine for families that can afford expensive child care or even live-in nannies. But if the goal is to provide excellent care for all children, a public system is the most cost-effective; it's really the only viable option.