QUEEN'S PARK — NDP Child Care critic Bhutila Karpoche released this statement following news that New Brunswick has signed a $10-a-day child care deal with Ottawa, leaving Ontario as the only province that’s hasn’t signed on to $10-a-day child care:
"Every day, I hear from families who cannot afford Ontario's crushing child care fees. And while other provinces are about to get massive relief — or rebates — Ontario’s parents are facing hikes for years. Child care fees are already at staggering, mortgage-level prices that are simply untenable for many families, especially as the price of everything else goes up too.
To cite one example, a child care centre near the legislature, in Toronto's Queen's Park neighbourhood, just sent a memo to parents announcing new monthly fees of $1,869 for an infant.
Every single province in Ontario has made a deal with the federal government, yet Doug Ford continues to make parents wait.
Ford didn’t prioritize child care or affordability. He started negotiations extremely late. He didn’t submit a formal proposal or action plan. He wasn’t there for parents, and now parents are literally paying the price.
Doug Ford must prioritize and sign a deal for $10-a-day child care, now.”