Thank you very much, Manal.
We'll now turn to Ms. Doyle Leblanc.
Welcome.
Evidence of meeting #116 for Finance in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was atlantic.
Evidence of meeting #116 for Finance in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was atlantic.
12:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
Thank you very much, Manal.
We'll now turn to Ms. Doyle Leblanc.
Welcome.
October 17th, 2017 / 12:40 p.m.
Rhonda Doyle Leblanc As an Individual
Thank you, everyone, for giving me the opportunity to come and speak this afternoon.
My name is Rhonda Doyle Leblanc, and I am the women's director for the Public Service Alliance of Canada. More importantly, I am a mother and, hopefully, a future grandmother.
My concerns and issues are around early learning education. We need a strong, publicly funded child care system in Canada. I know from my own experience how incredibly expensive it is to obtain quality child care that works for children and is affordable for parents. It is such a financial burden on parents that the mother often considers having to leave her job.
I know that in my case, when I had my first child, I was able to afford and find a spot, but three years later when my second child came along, that was no longer an option for me. Like many other parents, I had to find unregulated child care, often a babysitter working out of their home without any early childhood education.
This means settling for an unregulated provider. In cases where parents can afford child care, sometimes there aren't any spots remaining. We need a system that is regulated, high-quality, universally accessible, and inclusive of all children.
I want to add that I very much appreciate what the Liberals have already invested in child care, but more needs to be done. With increased investment and direction in child care, we will improve equality for women and children. We will improve Canada's economic value as well. Costs could be recouped through economic growth and increased tax revenues. A human rights international convention states that quality, affordable, and inclusive child care is essential to uphold the rights of children, indigenous peoples, and the rights of families.
I ask you to increase your funding for the early childhood education program.
12:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
Thank you all very much. It's good to see people coming to the open-mike session. Your words go into the record and are considered as part of the pre-budget consultation.
With that, lunch is being served in this room for members. We have to meet in the hotel lobby at 1:35 to catch the bus to the airport.
The meeting is adjourned. Thank you.