Child care costs in Canada are rising faster than inflation.
That’s according to a new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
The survey shows inflation across Canada is 1.5 per cent but the cost of childcare is 2.5 per cent.
Nova Scotia is on the higher end on childcare care cost in the country, averaging $910 a month for infants.
Christine Saulnier with the Centre says provincially-run childcare systems drastically lower the cost to families.
“In those provinces the priority is ‘let’s build an entire system,’” she says.
“et’s take it out of the market, let’s build it so that families get access and you see the difference it makes.”
Saulnier calls the new pre-primary classes for four year olds a step in the right direction, but says it should apply to all children.
She says the new provincially-run pre-primary programs for four year olds is a step in the right direction.
The next step is making it accessible for all ages.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for childcare for a 12-month old or a four year-old, that you can actually get access to the care that you need,” she says.
“That’s high-quality, that’s affordable [and] that’s in your community.”
Earlier this year, the federal government announced $7 billion in funding to create 40,000 new childcare spaces.
Saulnier says Nova Scotia residents need to hold the province accountable on how they’ll use the funding.
