Ontario Child Care Fees Remain High Despite Government Promises
Despite promises from the Ontario government to lower child care fees, a recent report shows that families are still facing high costs for child care services.
According to the report released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), the average monthly cost for full-time child care in Ontario is $1,685. This is a 6.6% increase from last year and the second highest in the country, only behind British Columbia.
The report also found that the cost of infant care in Ontario is the highest in the country, with an average monthly fee of $1,758. This is a staggering 21% increase from last year.
These high fees are putting a strain on families, especially those with young children. The CCPA report states that child care fees in Ontario are now equivalent to a second mortgage for many families.
The Ontario government had promised to lower child care fees by 10% for preschool-aged children and by 20% for school-aged children. However, the report shows that these promises have not been fulfilled.
In response to the report, the Ontario government stated that they have invested $2.2 billion in child care since 2018 and are committed to making child care more affordable for families. They also pointed to their recent announcement of a new child care tax credit, which will provide up to $6,000 per child under the age of seven.
However, critics argue that this tax credit will not address the root issue of high child care fees and will only benefit families with higher incomes.
The CCPA report also highlights the lack of affordable child care spaces in Ontario. Only 27% of child care spaces in the province are considered affordable, meaning they cost less than 10% of a family’s income.
The high cost of child care not only affects families, but also has a significant impact on the economy. The report estimates that the lack of affordable child care spaces in Ontario results in a loss of $1.2 billion in economic activity each year.
In conclusion, despite promises from the Ontario government to lower child care fees, families in the province are still facing high costs for child care services. This issue not only affects families, but also has a negative impact on the economy. It is clear that more needs to be done to make child care more affordable and accessible for all families in Ontario.
