A proposal to dramatically simplify the process for opening child care facilities in Vancouver's residential neighbourhoods is set to ignite a city-wide debate, placing a chronic shortage of licensed spaces squarely on the political agenda.
A Parent's Exhausting Daily Commute
For Sophie Ngo, a Vancouver mother of two, the city's child care crisis translates into a gruelling three-hour daily commute. Both she and her husband work from home in Marpole, yet each morning begins with a complex shuttle run. Her husband drives their two-year-old to a daycare in Richmond—the only available spot they found—then takes their four-year-old to a facility in Cambie Village before returning home. Ngo repeats the entire circuit at day's end.
"It's three hours per day, just driving," Ngo said, encapsulating the frustration of countless Vancouver parents. From their perspective, city hall must act decisively to remove barriers to creating new daycare spaces.
The Political Proposal: 'As-of-Right' Child Care
This long-simmering issue is now the subject of an early policy pledge from a contender in Vancouver's upcoming mayoral race. On Wednesday, William Azaroff, seeking the OneCity nomination, will release his first major policy commitment. He proposes changing city bylaws to make child care facilities an "as-of-right" use in all residential and commercial zones, provided they meet health and safety regulations.
Currently, in much of Vancouver, daycare is a "conditional use," meaning permits are issued at the discretion of city staff. Azaroff argues this system allows applications to be rejected for various reasons, including neighbourhood opposition, creating uncertainty that deters potential operators from even applying.
Neighbourhood Concerns vs. City-Wide Need
Not everyone agrees that daycares belong on every quiet side street. The candidate's proposal was inspired by a 2023 case involving Douglas Park Academy. The daycare, which had no complaints and boasted a long waitlist, sought to expand from 8 to 16 children. Despite support from families, its application was rejected by the city after some neighbours raised concerns about parking, traffic, and noise.
Azaroff's "outright use" model would mean an application that meets safety standards and has adequate property space must be permitted, removing discretionary barriers. This policy debate is expected to reach the current Vancouver city council's agenda in the coming weeks, setting the stage for a clash between the urgent need for child care and the desires of some residents to preserve neighbourhood character.
The outcome could significantly shape the landscape of family life in Vancouver, determining whether the city streamlines a path to more spaces or maintains a system that many parents say is failing them.
