An expert is urging the Ontario government to prioritize the creation of new child-care spaces over the $10-a-day fee target, arguing that accessibility remains the critical bottleneck in the province's child-care system.
Expert calls for shift in focus
Speaking to The Canadian Press, the expert emphasized that while the $10-a-day goal is laudable, it means little if families cannot find available spots. “It’s you versus the potholes,” the expert said, highlighting the frustration of parents who struggle to secure any care at all. The comment echoes broader concerns that supply has not kept pace with demand under the national child-care plan.
Data from the Ontario government shows that as of early 2026, only about 60% of licensed child-care spaces are operating at the reduced fee, with many providers still transitioning. Meanwhile, waitlists in major cities like Toronto and Ottawa stretch for months or even years.
Provincial response and challenges
The Ontario Ministry of Education has acknowledged the need for more spaces but maintains that affordability and accessibility must advance together. A spokesperson noted that the province has invested over $1 billion in capital funding since 2021 to create new spaces, with a target of adding 86,000 spots by 2026. However, the expert argues this pace is insufficient given population growth and rising labor force participation among parents.
“We’re seeing a mismatch between policy goals and on-the-ground reality,” the expert said. “Families need places now, not just promises.” The call comes as the federal government’s $30-billion child-care plan faces scrutiny over implementation delays across provinces.
Impact on families and economy
The shortage disproportionately affects low-income families and those in rural areas, where options are even scarcer. According to a recent report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Ontario has the highest child-care fees in the country outside Quebec, averaging $1,200 per month for infants. Without sufficient spaces, many parents are forced to leave the workforce or rely on unlicensed care.
“It’s transformational when families can access affordable care,” the expert said, referencing a groundbreaking for a new hospital expected in July that will include a child-care center. But they warned that piecemeal solutions won’t solve the systemic gap.
The expert concluded that Ontario should adopt a dual strategy: aggressively fund new construction while streamlining licensing to accelerate space creation, even if it means temporarily delaying the full $10-a-day rollout. “Otherwise, we’ll have cheap care that nobody can get into,” they said.
