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Business leaders across the country are urging the federal government to conduct a study on a national childcare plan.
Anita Huberman with the Surrey Board of Trade brought forward a resolution to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Convention in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island urging Ottawa to look into the impact child care has on the economy. "We are asking the Federal government to research a reformed child care plan for Canada from a productivity and competitive perspective for our economy in Canada."
With labour shortages expected in the future, she says it needs to be examined to keep people working.
"When you're an employer and you have A-list employees that don't return to work after maternity leave because they can't afford to find child care that affects the productivity of our workplace. It's a business issue for the nation, especially as we're facing such extensive labour shortages, skill shortages, by the year 2020."
She says the Canadian Chamber of Commerce will speak with the ministers responsible adding the business community is hoping to make it a priority in the next election.