Child care in the federal election 2021
During Canada's 44th General election, CRRU will be providing more resources to help a variety of Canadians understand, interpret and decode child care. This Issue file will be updated regularly with party platforms, advocacy positions, media commentary, and other relevant information as it becomes available.
Post election
Tools
Frequently Asked Questions about Canada’s historic federal budget 2021 and its plans to build a Canada-wide child care system [1]
Canadian Child Care Federation, 21 September 2021
Petition: Tell Ford and Lecce to sign the child care agreement [2]
Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care, 21 Sep 2021
Petition: Tell Premier Jason Kenney and Minister Rebecca Schulz to #SignTheAgreement [3]
Child Care Now - Alberta, 29 September 2021
Media
Province must be a willing partner in child-care program [4]
Toronto Star, 12 October 2021
Has the pandemic really changed Doug Ford? A decent child-care deal would be a start in proving it [5]
Toronto Star, 8 October 2021
Local groups say affordable housing, childcare should be priorities for re-elected Beaches-East York MP Erskine-Smith [6]
Beach Metro, 5 October 2021
'No reason to wait:' Liberal leader questions Ford's commitment to affordable childcare [7]
CP24, 4 October 2021
10-a-day child care made for a good campaign slogan. The hard part is turning it into an actual plan [8]
The Toronto Star, 28 September 2021
Postmortem: Voters reject the laissez-faire approach to child care [9]
Financial Post, 27 September 2021
Child care plan best hope for boosting Canada's economy [10]
Financial Post, 23 September 2021
What did young voters get out of the 2021 election? That our leaders need to work together [11]
Toronto Star, 22 September 2021
Will the Liberals be able to deliver their $10-a-day child care promise? [12]
CTV News, 22 September 2021
Ontario wants deal with feds on national childcare plan but no timeline as of yet: Ford [13]
CP24, 22 September 2021
What the federal election results mean for Doug Ford and Ontario politics [14]
CBC News, 21 September 2021
B.C. daycare, cruise ships top priorities after Trudeau’s re-election [15]
Terrace Standard, 21 September 2021
The Liberals won the election. What will be the toughest promises for them to keep? [16]
Global News, 21 September 2021
With a Liberal government returning to Ottawa, N.S. premier expects child-care deal to stand [17]
CBC News, 21 September 2021
A Liberal minority can work with the opposition on affordability issues (if common sense prevails) [18]
Toronto Star, 20 September 2021
Stop the games and get back to work. That’s the message voters have sent to party leaders [19]
Toronto Star, 20 September 2021
From childcare to taxes: What Trudeau’s projected win really means for your pocketbook [20]
Global News, 20 September 2021
Party platforms
Bloc Quebecois
Platform
Plateforme politique: Bloc 2021 [24]
Bloc Québécois, 22 August 2021
Media
Canada's New Democratic Party
Platform
Ready for better: New Democrats commitments to you [25]
Canada's New Democrat Party, 12 August 2021
Media
Conservative Party of Canada
Platform
Canada’s recovery plan [26]
Conservative Party of Canada, August 2021
Media
Green Party of Canada
Platform
Platform 21. Be Daring. [27]
Green Party of Canada, 7 September 2021
Media
Liberal Party of Canada
Platform
Forward. For everyone. [28]
Liberal Party of Canada, 1 September 2021
Child care plan [29]
Liberal Party of Canada, 17 August 2021
Media
Liberals move forward with $10 a day child care for families [30]
Liberal Party of Canada, 17 August 2021
Justin Trudeau discusses child-care plan in Markham, Ontario [31]
CPAC - For the Record, 17 August 2021
All-party content
Reality check - $10 a day child care plan or tax credit? [32]
Child Care Now, 15 September 2021
The exhausted parent’s guide to the federal election [33]
Today’s Parent, 6 September 2021
Face-à-Face 2021: les chefs s’affrontent dans un premier débat [34]
TVA Nouvelles, 2 September 2021
Federal Election 2021: Understanding the parties’ proposals on childcare—what could they mean for your finances? [35]
Money Sense, 26 August 2021
Election 2021: Party platforms [36]
Child Care Now, 25 August 2021
Campaign catch-up: Child care [37]
First Policy Response, 24 August 2021
44th General election leaders’ debate [38]
Leaders’ Debates Commission
French debate: September 8th - 8:00 p.m EDT
English debate: September 9th - 9:00 p.m. EDT
Media
Canada's debate over improving child care 'long overdue', parents say [39]
CBC News, 17 September 2021
Stakes are high in this election for B.C.'s $10-a-day child care plan [40]
CBC News, 17 September 2021
Could the Conservatives' tax credit help create more child-care spaces? [41]
CTV News, 15 September 2021
Toronto parents pay the most for child care in the country. What are the federal parties offering? [42]
CBC News, 15 September 2021
'Do we want to put our child in care or do we want to eat?': Northern Ontario voters consider childcare costs [43]
CBC News, 15 September 2021
‘Don’t mess with moms. Get it done’: 50 prominent Canadian women urge party leaders to prioritize child care [44]
Toronto Star, 14 September 2021
Liberals vs. Conservatives on childcare: Which parents would benefit most under each plan? [45]
Global News, 14 September 2021
Whose child care plan is the best? [46]
TVO, 14 September 2021
O’Toole promises Quebec more cash for child care in letter to Legault [47]
The Globe and Mail, 14 September 2021
Child care on the ballot, but is unlikely enough to swing the vote [48]
National Post, 13 September 2021
The Liberals promise big spending on child care. The Conservatives, not so much [49]
The Globe and Mail, 13 September 2021
Face to Face 2021: Erin O'Toole met four undecided voters. Here's what happened [50]
CBC News, 13 September 2021
The key to Canada’s economic recovery is obvious. Why isn’t anyone talking about it? [51]
Toronto Star, 12 September 2021
O’Toole embraced Kenney’s ‘resistance’ child-care politics. Why? [52]
The Tyee, 12 September 2021
Child care a key issue in a large number of tight ridings across the country: Environics Analytics [53]
CTV News, 11 September 2021
Justin Trudeau bets he can win big in Ontario without beating on Doug Ford [54]
Toronto Star, 10 September 2021
What happened during the federal leaders’ English debate? Here are the highlights [55]
Global News, 10 September 2021
Second French debate draws clear battle lines as campaign heads into home stretch [56]
Rabble, 9 September 2021
CP fact check: Debate claims on child care, emissions and TMX under scrutiny [57]
CTV News, 9 September 2021
O’Toole’s plan to axe daycare deals under fire in French election debate [58]
Global News, 8 September 2021
Legault government rejects Liberal leader's proposal for right to subsidized child-care spaces in Quebec [59]
CTV News, 8 September 2021
What issues are working — and not working — for the federal parties? [60]
TVO, 7 September 2021
Voters concerned about child care, private health care: polls [61]
The Globe and Mail, 7 September 2021
The exhausted parent’s guide to the federal election [33]
Today’s Parent, 6 September 2021
Fate of Nova Scotia's $10-a-day child-care deal hinges on federal election [62]
CBC News, September 5 2021
Fate of $6B Quebec child-care deal questioned during first election debate [63]
Q107, 3 September 2021
Fate of national daycare in the hands of Canadian voters [64]
The Globe and Mail, 2 September 2021
Trudeau attacked over election call in French-language debate; O’Toole targeted for vaccinations, childcare [65]
The Globe and Mail, 2 September 2021
Child care system vs. tax credit: Experts weigh pros and cons of parties’ proposals [66]
Global News, 1 September 2021
Newmarket-Aurora candidates debate options for supporting child care [67]
Newmarket Today, 29 August 2021
Child-care costs will land either on parents or taxpayers: Pick one [68]
TVO, 27 August 2021
Child care in focus as return to school looms [69]
Yahoo News, 27 August 2021
Election could ‘shape the future of child care in Ontario’ [70]
iPolitics, 26 August 2021
No knockout punches thrown on campaign trail yet, but keep an eye on childcare [71]
The Hill Times, 23 August 2021
Liberals and NDP both have solid plans for child care. The Conservatives do not [72]
Toronto Star, 20 August 2021
What the federal election could do to Saskatchewan’s recent child care agreement [73]
Global News, 19 August 2021
Erin O’Toole’s child care plan gets failing grade from advocate [74]
The Maple, 18 August 2021
Child care advocate weighs in on federal plans [75]
Global News Radio - 640 Toronto, 18 August 2021
Parents weigh child-care options as federal parties put policies in election window [76]
CBC News, 18 August 2021
Comment: The divisive issue that might penetrate your sunny day? Subsidized child care [77]
National Post, 18 August 2021
For Erin O’Toole, a fight over child care is the wrong one to pick with Justin Trudeau [78]
The Star, 17 August 2021
Tax credits or set fees? What the parties' child care plans could mean for Alberta families [79]
CBC News, 17 August 2021
Commentary
How do the parties' child-care platforms stack up? [80]
CBC, 19 September 2021
Martha Friendly, executive director of the Childcare Resource and Research Unit weighs in on the federal parties' platforms and promises on child care and early childhood education.
Opinion: What if childcare was a dads’ issue too? [81]
The Globe and Mail, 17 September 2021
Little Talks, Big Ideas: New beginnings - Episode 2 [82]
Little Talks, Big Ideas, 15 September 2021
What will each party’s childcare plan do for you? [83]
The Pointer - Ballot Vox, 14 September 2021
Martha Friendly joins San Grewal to discuss what could be the watershed moment for Canadian child care policy and specific child care concerns in the Peel region. Martha highlights that the lack of public delivery, policy and planning in the Peel region has resulted in a huge child care market. Martha notes that child care centres in Peel are often for-profit and as a result are some of the most expensive in the province of Ontario.
The Liberals promise big spending on child care. The Conservatives, not so much [84]
The Globe and Mail Editorial Board, 13 September 2021
This federal election, I’m voting for child care—here’s why you should, too [85]
Carolyn Ferns, 13 September 2021
Conservatives and Liberals have different plans for Canada. Vote accordingly [86]
Toronto Star, 12 September 2021
The election no one wanted is ultimately about child care [87]
Ken Dryden, 10 September 2021
Which political party has the best child care plan? [88]
Gordon Cleveland, 10 September 2021
Conservatives proposed tax credits for child care won’t fix a fractured system [89]
The Record, 9 September 2021
$10aDay child care: Life-changing impacts for BC families [90]
$10aDay Child Care, 30 August 2021
Child care in this election definitely isn’t child’s play [70]
iPolitics, 30 August 2021
Families would save more with $10-a-day child care fees than with tax credits [91]
David Macdonald, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, 27 August 2021
Why universal child care is a better choice than subsidies [92]
Bradley Lafortune, 24 August 2021
An examination of the Conservative Party of Canada's proposed childcare refundable tax credit [93]
Gillian Petit, Lindsay M. Tedds & Tammy Schirle, 24 August 2021
Conservatives go back to the future for child care proposals in this federal election [94]
Martha Friendly, 23 August 2021
Child care will be the defining issue of the election [95]
Sarah Boesveld, Pamela Uppal & Carolyn Ferns, 21 August 2021
How much might the CPC childcare credit cost and where is the rest of the federal ELCC money going to go? [96]
Jennifer Robson, 19 August 2021
Lies, damned lies, and conservative politicians [97]
Gordon Cleveland, 17 August 2021
A Canada-wide system of early learning and child care [98]
Sophia Mohamed & Laurel Rothman, 30 July 2021
Position statements
O’Toole’s conservative plan risks setting women back [99]
Canadian Labour Congress, 13 September 2021
Canadian voters deserve an answer on child care [100]
National Union of Public and General Employees, 9 September 2021
YWCA Toronto urges action on gender equity during #ELXN44 [101]
YWCA Toronto, 7 September 2021
VOTE for every child 2021 [102]
UNICEF Canada, August 2021
Child care reality check: $10aDay or tax credit [103]
$10aDay Child Care, 31 August 2021
Which childcare plan is best for children and families? [104]
National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), 30 August 2021
Why the care economy is central to the 2021 federal election [105]
The Care Economy, 26 August 2021
Election 2021 commitments: What child care advocates want from political parties and candidates [106]
Child Care Now, 25 August 2021
Tax credits vs. direct funding: What’s best for child care? [107]
Generation Squeeze, 25 August 2021
Imagine: Universal child care for all [108]
Canadian Union of Public Employees - Ontario, 19 August 2021
The nonprofit sector is the federal government’s partner in building a fair, inclusive, and green recovery for Canadians [109]
Ontario Nonprofit Network, 19 August 2021
Tools
Reality check - $10 a day child care plan or tax credit? [32]
Child Care Now, 15 September 2021
Child Care Now has released a reality check table comparing the $10 a day child care plan and the proposed tax credit scheme. The tables (in EN and FR) provide a comprehensive overview of the plans and answer questions related to accessibility, Indigenous child care, affordability, quality and the wages and wages and working conditions of the child care workforce. The tables include a longer, more detailed version and a shorter, more condensed version.
Pledge your support for affordable quality child care for all [110]
Child Care Now, September 2021
This new online petition organized by Child Care Now for affordable and quality child care is live. The 2021 federal election results could either accelerate progress in building a universal Canada-wide system of early learning and child care or bring it to a screeching halt. Pledge your support today, and show that you want to see a universal Canada-wide system of early learning and child care.
Child care for all - Advocating for child care in an election: 2021 election toolkit [111]
Child Care Now, 25 August 2021
In this 2021 election toolkit, Child Care Now provides readers with information on how to advocate for child care in the 2021 election. The toolkit includes resouces on: what advocates want from the political parties and candidates, some quick background facts, strategies on how and where to campaign for child care, information on contacting and asking your local candidate to sign the candidate pledge, what to say whe campaigning for child care and key sector wide messages for building a Canada-wide early leanring and child care system.
Election 2021 resources: The most important election for child care [112]
Canadian Child Care Federation, 25 August 2021
The Canadian Child Care Federation provides a resource page to help ECEs and families make an informed vote as it relates to the future of child care in Canada. The page is being updated regularly with information regarding party platforms and their impacts on the child care sector, negotiation progress on the new Canada-wide child care program, and other relevant resources. The first resource guide features three urgent questions to ask nominated candidates.
Campaign catch-up: Child care [37]
First Policy Response, 24 August 2021
First Policy Response summarizes the child care policy positions held by all political parties, and provides reactions from academics and experts on these proposals. They note that one week in, the major division is between the Conservatives and the rest of the parties, with those opposed to the Conservative plan arguing it does not do enough to address the structural issues that currently plague the early learning and child care sector.
VOTE For every child 2021: Social media toolkit and campaign [113]
UNICEF Canada, August 2021
UNICEF Canada has launched their election 2021 social media toolkit. The aim of this toolkit is to utilize social media platforms to amplify the voices of children and youth and the issues they face in communities across Canada. When composing social media message, consider combining #VoteForEveryChild with other popular or trending hashtags to multiply impact. Some of the other hashtags that will be relevant throughout the election include #elxn44, #canadavotes, and #cdnpoli.
44th General election leaders' debates [114]
Leaders’ Debates Commission, August 2021
The Leaders’ Debates Commision is an independent and impartial public body mandated to organize two leaders' debates for the upcoming federal general election, one in each official language, while paying special attention to Canada's Indigenous languages. Their role is to set participation criteria, determine which political leaders are invited to participate in the leaders' debates, and work with the debates producer to develop a format that reflects the public interest, while respecting journalistic independence. The Commission's objective is to make debates a more predictable, reliable and stable element of federal election campaigns.
Mobilization toolkit [115]
Up for Debate, August 2021
With the federal election just weeks away, Up for Debate is proud to share their 2021 mobilization toolkit. This toolkit includes everything needed to engage in critical discussions on women’s rights and gender justice in your community and online. The toolkit includes social media strategies, questions to ask local candidates and ideas to host your own debate and engage in critical dialogue.