Providing the money to parents is definitely a more equitable and efficient way, but first we have to address the supply side issues. To this, I would say that the Statistics Canada data that I have examined suggests that the supply is not as bad as we are told, and whether that's an issue or not is very diverse across the country. Most parents are able to access the kind of care that they desire, and we have very recent polling data that suggests that parents are happy with the care that they find, and even in this stage of COVID, they have returned to their prior care options. This could be a licensed space in a centre. It could be, as I choose, home-based care, family-based care or what have you, but the demand side is where the problems are and where the choices are curtailed. If you don't have money to pay for what is available, then you don't have that choice.
I think the money to parents is a viable option, and if it were means tested, then we would see significant amounts of money going to those who need it most. We suggested that the $9.2 billion, as a per child amount without the means test, is roughly $4,000 per child under six.
If we end up spending upwards of $36 billion annually, which is what I assume will be the case years down the road, then that amount is about $14,000 per child under six. Again, that's not means tested. I would advocate means testing so that people who are truly in need can get the support to help them with their child care choices.