Canadian Child Care Policy

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Canada does not provide child care allowing for the full employment of parents and, notably, working mothers who make up a large proportion of adults responsible for maintaining viable households. The author points out that the issues of childcare pertain not only to child poverty but also to matters that indicate the need for a national childcare directive. The paper relates that the 2007 Canadian Universal Child Care Benefit is a step forwards in aiding families with childcare expenses and promoting daycare expansion; however it does not promise practical help for families who are struggling. The author states that more poor Canadian mothers are moving to low income, ghettoized areas, which more often give access to subsidized child care facilities but at a price of exposure to crime and criminality.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Universality as Policy Defect
Who can Afford Childcare?
Assumptions to do with Mothers
'Working Class Child Care'
Observations of Social Welfare Research
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Critics note that Denmark's policy addresses a small territory and a population below 6 millions yet the model of compulsory facilities seems a fine starting place for what might occur in the Canadian provinces to follow the example of Quebec. In general, one wishes effort was made to explore examples around the world and the costs and benefits of programs encouraging the rise of daycare facilities, programs to make care affordable and all manner of bridges to help unemployed or low income parents to achieve both needed daycare and employment, along with affordable housing, towards a more constructive solution to socioeconomic problems than what is now seen in Canada."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Baril, R., P. Lefebvre and P. Merrigan. (2000). Quebec Family Policy - Impact and Options, Choices. Montreal: Institute for Research on Public Policy.
• Campaign 2000. (2006). Oh Canada: Too Many Children in Poverty for Too Long, 2006 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Canada. Family Services Toronto.
• Chisholm, S. (2006). Report to the Parliamentary Finance Committee. Ottawa: Canadian Housing and Renewal Association.
• Cleveland, G., M. Gunderson, D. Hyatt and M. Krashinsky. (2000). Simulating the Effects of Childcare Policy in Canada. Vancouver: Canadian Employment Research Forum Conference, June.
• Goelman, H. (1993). Where are the Children? - an Overview of Childcare Arrangements in Canada. Ottawa: Statistics Canada Report 89-527E.

More papers on Canadian Child Care Policy:

• Analytical Essay # 130628 : "Women's Employment Equality in Canada"
• Analytical Essay # 100392 : "Women's Employment Equality"
• Essay # 19092 : "Canadian Social Policy for Children"

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