Childcare is the Medicare of the 21st Century

Childcare announcement brings relief to Albertan families

It’s just good economic policy

Estimates show that the expansion of $25-a-day child care in Alberta would increase employment and add $5.95 billion a year to our GDP, in addition to the real savings for families.

Parents took to twitter to express relief and share the silent cost they have been carrying. The numbers are staggering.

I’m a mom with one kid in fulltime daycare, and another in after-school care. Even with a subsidy, my childcare bill last year was over $20k. #whatipayforchildcare

— baillyyyc (@Baillyyyc) March 25, 2019

As a self-employed single mom, I currently choose to pay for two mornings a week of childcare (pre-school) as I work home from home. I pay for the loss of my potential income if I was able to have a *normal* 20-40 hr work week with affordable childcare. #whatipayforchildcare https://t.co/ikGZT4mIUq

— kait kucy (@kaitkucy) March 25, 2019

$13000/year for one kid. Then something extraordinary. $6500/year as part of @RachelNotley’s $25/day pilot. Big difference for our family’s budget and mental health. So grateful for how @albertaNDP cares about kids and families. I want this for all parents. #whatipayforchildcare

— Melinda 🏳️‍🌈 (@melindaste) March 26, 2019

#whatIpayforchildcare

I pay $15,000/yr in childcare

I pay almost $50,000 in income taxes from working full time.

Don’t @ me that your taxes pay for subsidized daycare.

Women who return to the workforce pay for daycare. Affordable daycare is making sure they don’t pay twice.

— Bridget Casey (@moneyaftergrad) March 26, 2019

It’s been years since I paid for child care and back then it ate most of my salary but – pinch me – here we are talking about the possibility of universal child care, adding thousands more spaces in Alberta. So proud I could weep. #whatIpayforchildcare

— Cheri Macaulay (@cheriyyc) March 25, 2019

Parents were quick to discuss how affordable child care could get them back into the workforce.

Alberta has the largest gender gap when it comes to workforce participation and jurisdictions that have invested in affordable child care demonstrate a growth in employment.

This is so eye opening for me as someone who doesn’t have this cost. Albertans need affordable child care. https://t.co/lQCrLgnlST

— Zoey! (@zoeywrites) March 25, 2019

After I pay for care for my three children 6 and under, I net about $7 an hour. Imagine if I was a single mother. Imagine if I had to work longer hours, off-hour shift work, or had an epic commute. #whatipayforchildcare

— Alix W (@AlixWlms) March 25, 2019

Childcare funding is smart for all Albertans.

More money in the pockets of families. Keep great people in the workforce. Relief for the hardest working and lowest earning. Happy kids.

Subsidized childcare is an investment in our economy that just makes sense. #abvote https://t.co/iUZd0UNDIF

— Jason Filiatrault (@jfiliatrault) March 25, 2019

When I moved to Edmonton with a 2.5 yr old, I was quoted $1,900/mo by one daycare- more than double what I was expecting. Affordable daycare is a real game changer & important lever for our economy. #whatipayforchildcare

— Carrie Hotton-MacDonald (@carrie_hotton) March 26, 2019

It’s just good economic policy

Estimates show that the expansion of $25-a-day child care in Alberta would increase employment and add $5.95 billion a year to our GDP, in addition to the real savings for families.

“Child care is a key to unlocking Alberta’s economic potential,” said Rachel Notley. “In a changing global economy, Albertans need to be able to make the best choices for their families.”