Two-thirds of the mothers with their youngest child in preschool or kindergarten were in the workforce in 2009.
Women's increased labour force participation has been supported by a multi-decade trend toward increased attainment of higher education. Women have risen from 32% of young graduates in 1971 to 60% in 2006. With provincial governments investing in full-day kindergarten, the federal government has the opportunity to engage provincial and territorial governments in discussion on developing early learning and child care. Investment in child care for low-income families has been shown to yield a substantial financial rate of return for every dollar invested. Such investment would support the federal government's efforts to eliminate the deficit and return to a balanced budget through economic growth. Early learning and child care are fiscally smart investments.
Thank you.