Cyndie Caron has been eagerly awaiting a subsidized daycare placement for her daughter since birth. As nearly a year has passed, the Quebec City resident fears it may take another extended period before securing one in her local area. Balancing part-time teaching responsibilities, she currently relies on a private daycare twice a week in a different neighborhood, costing $70 per day—significantly higher than the subsidized rates in Quebec prior to tax credits.
Expressing the financial strain on her family, Caron hopes for a prompt resolution to resume full-time work. In Saint-Jean-Baptiste, where she resides, 600 children are on the waiting list for subsidized daycares, known as a “Centre de la petite enfance” (CPE). With the provincial election looming, Caron and numerous parents are carefully selecting representatives. Advocates emphasize the pressing need for addressing the challenges of accessing the subsidized system on a broader political platform.
In recent events, the refusal to approve 80 planned daycare spaces within a real estate project exacerbates the shortage in Saint-Jean-Baptiste, according to advocates. This decision prompted Quebec Solidaire (QS) candidate Étienne Grandmont to criticize the move publicly. Grandmont highlighted that 4,000 children are currently on the daycare waitlist in the Quebec City region, advocating for the reinstatement of proximity criteria.
Following Quebec’s law for equitable access to childcare services, the proximity criteria, prioritizing children in the same neighborhood as a CPE, no longer holds sway. A centralized system now governs daycare admissions across Quebec, based on specific criteria. Responding to concerns, Quebec’s Family Minister Catherine Blouin’s office acknowledged the challenges faced by families in Saint-Jean-Baptiste but emphasized the necessity for consistent rules in allocating subsidized daycare spots.
Amidst the election campaign, Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) pledged to convert private childcare spots into subsidized ones, creating additional parental leave options. Various parties propose diverse approaches to address daycare issues. For instance, the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) plans to provide financial support to families opting to keep young children at home. In contrast, the Parti Québécois (PQ) and Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) propose expanding subsidized daycare spots over the coming years.
Advocates stress that investing in childcare is vital for Quebec’s future prosperity. Marjorie Peyric, from Ma Place au Travail, underscores the importance of prioritizing equitable, affordable, and high-quality childcare services. She urges political leaders to elevate the childcare crisis in the electoral discourse, emphasizing its broad impact on families and society at large.
