Child-Care Access Issues Hinder Workforce Re-Entry for Canadian Families
A recent report highlights that over 300,000 Canadian families faced barriers to child-care access last year, delaying a parent's return to work. Despite the introduction of Canada's $10-a-day child-care plan, which aimed to reduce fees and create 250,000 regulated spaces, many families still struggle to find available care. The report, authored by Alisaleh Shariati from the Centre for the Study of Living Standards, indicates that while lower fees have increased employment among mothers, the lack of available spaces remains a significant issue. In 2025, about 332,200 families experienced access problems, with 33.9% using child care but facing difficulties, and 43% not using child care at all. The report suggests that addressing these access issues could significantly boost GDP, potentially adding up to $15.6 billion if barriers were removed. 
