Federal Budget 2021: Lower child care costs a relief

Local mom Chelsey Jesso has two young children. Her oldest is in school, but daycare fees for her youngest are $1,250 per month.

Affordable childcare means she could spend her money on extracurricular activities and a college education fund for her kids. She says the social aspect of childcare is important for her kids.

“As far as children are concerned, the development and interpersonal relationships they get by being able to be part of daycare, they’re really benefiting from having quality programming,” Jesso said. “For a lot of kids, unfortunately, unless the cost is less, they are really missing out.

The budget commits $30 billion for childcare.

The priority is creating more spaces and lowering fees for parents. Relief could come as early as next year, where on average fees are expected to drop by 50 per cent.

Jennifer Usher with the Medicine Hat and District Child Care Association says affordable childcare is something that has been needed for years.

“I really think this will drive the need for new programs to open up within our city,” Usher said. “Especially before the pandemic, we were really starting to struggle with spaces. I think families are really going to get out there and really want those programs to be open.”

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the childcare budget is a long-term strategy and won’t deliver instant gratification.

by Teagan Rasche

Federal Budget 2021: Lower child care costs a relief

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