Ella Dalling has been on the waiting lists for daycare for her nine-month-old daughter Murph since she was pregnant. Dalling mentioned that they signed up for around 20 daycare waitlists in Vancouver but have not received any responses yet. Due to the absence of fee limits for daycares in British Columbia, the cost of daycare can vary significantly, ranging from $200 to $2,000 per month.
Dalling recently introduced an online platform called Little Scout, where daycare facilities can list available spots, assisting parents in locating nearby options. Through her platform, she has engaged with parents and daycare providers from various regions in B.C., all of whom agree that the current system requires enhancements.
According to a recent study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, British Columbia is lagging behind other provinces in terms of providing universal affordable childcare. The province’s childcare system includes both private and non-profit operators, some of which receive substantial government subsidies while others charge full fees.
David Macdonald, a co-author of the report, highlighted the complexity of determining childcare costs in British Columbia, leaving parents questioning the expenses they might face. Despite some savings resulting from a funding agreement on childcare reached in 2021 between the province and Ottawa, parents in British Columbia are reportedly saving only $300 to $500 per month, considerably less than those in provinces with fee restrictions.
The report also reveals that out of 35 Canadian cities examined, cities in British Columbia have the highest childcare costs, with daily infant fees ranging from a median of $28 in Kelowna to $52 in Richmond. In contrast, six provinces and territories have implemented fee caps of $10 a day, while Alberta charges a maximum of $15 a day, and Ontario $22 a day.
Although British Columbia was once at the forefront of the $10-a-day universal childcare initiative, the $10-a-day Child Care Campaign now criticizes the B.C. NDP government for stalling on the issue. Sharon Gregson, a spokesperson for the campaign, expressed disappointment in the government’s failure to match the progress made by other provinces in childcare affordability.
Education and Child Care Minister Lisa Beare did not grant an interview but highlighted concerns about the $10-a-day program, stating that it operates on a lottery system rather than need-based criteria. Consequently, the B.C. government has halted the expansion of the $10-a-day childcare program to address structural inequities and collaborate with families, providers, Indigenous partners, and the federal government to develop a more inclusive and sustainable childcare system for the future.