EDMONTON - In the wake of two elections, both federally and municipally, Public Interest Alberta has reaffirmed its commitment to mobilizing Albertans to win a comprehensive system of child care – one that is not only affordable to parents, but also accessible and features extensive investment into a critical workforce. The progressive and non-partisan advocacy organization has been campaigning for $10-a-day child care in Alberta since July 2021.
Bradley Lafortune, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta, issued the following statement:
“It was exciting to see child care as a ballot box issue this election season. This has been a major win for working families all over the country, and for that, we can thank child care advocates for their decades of work and advocacy. So many Albertan municipal candidates spoke about the need for municipal support and infrastructure for child care to enact the federal plan.
“With a federal win for the Liberals and their $10-a-day child care plan, we have our work cut out for us in Alberta. Our provincial government has been hostile to the child care sector. They’ve cut benefits to child care workers. They’ve scrapped the highly-successful $25-a-day pilot program. They’ve kept Albertan parents in limbo with their political games and refusal to sign on to the federal $10-a-day agreement. We are facing an uphill battle in our province to win the child care system Albertan families need.
“We know that a universal system of child care would be a gamechanger for poverty reduction, for women’s workforce participation, and for the healthy development of children in Alberta. However, in order to accomplish these goals, the system needs to not only be affordable for families, but also be accessible to children with complex needs and families outside of major urban centres. And we need to invest in the child care workforce. These critical workers require extensive education and should be compensated like the professionals they are.
“We urge all Albertans to reaffirm their commitment to creating a universal high-quality, accessible, and affordable child care system. Demand that the UCP end their games, act in the public interest, and do what is right for children and working families in our province. Join us to demand $10-a-day child care for Alberta now!”
