CUPW Supports Child Care Now – National Day of Action – November 30, 2023

Families across Canada are crying out for access to early learning and child care.

The federal government’s historic child care initiative has brought down parent fees for licensed child care for children under 6. However, there are only enough licensed spaces for a fraction of those who need it. Vulnerable families and children are much more likely to fall through the large gap between supply and demand.

The federal, provincial and territorial governments have promised to create an additional 250,000 licensed spaces by 2025-26, primarily in the not-for-profit and public sectors, but we have seen very few of these spaces open up. A recent report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives confirms that about half of younger children in Canada live in child care deserts.

On November 30^th, the annual Day of Action for Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC), child care advocates and allies will call for immediate and meaningful government action to address the shortage of qualified early childhood educators, which is a major block to making licensed programs more available. Also, the Day of Action will back up the child care movement’s demand for public funds to finance the growth of not-for-profit and public child care. 

How to support the Day of Action

Child Care Now is calling on allies in Canada’s labour movement to support the November 30^th Day of Action for Early Learning and Child Care.

1. Contact child care advocates in your province (list of provincial affiliates here) for information about provincial and local events
2. Sign up for Child Care Now’s mailing list to receive sample social media postings prior to, and on, November 30, 2023
3. Follow @Child_Care_Now on all social media channels for links to an open letter to governments (coming soon)
4. Encourage your members to post pictures wearing polka dots with the message #dotsforspots and/or #childcareforall