Gov’t needs to do more to address affordable childcare for families: expert

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The number of families with two working parents has doubled over the last 40 years, but it seems our government policies are not keeping up with the change.

Figures out from Statistics Canada this week say the percentage of dual income families has grown from 36 per cent in 1976 to 69 percent in 2015. It’s pointing to changing cultural attitudes, better education for women and financial need as the reasons.

Political scientist with UVIC Janni says the main way government policies aren’t reflecting needs of Canadian families is the lack of affordable childcare. “Some people can’t find jobs or relocate to jobs because there is no childcare or very little access to childcare because it is so competitive.”

“Right now it is done in lots pf places a very piece meal way. The fact that people need to sign up as soon as they are pregnant; that is a real problem,” she explains.

The BC government has funded 4,300 new child care spots of the last two years, but critics say that isn’t enough to improve availability or affordability.

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