When we make dollars available to the provinces, they have the option to opt out and not receive those dollars and not extend child care to vulnerable families in their communities.
The other side of it is that when we put federal dollars into the system, we expect certain standards to be met in terms of child-to-teacher ratio, in terms of training, in terms of quality, to make sure that our children are safe. Studies have shown that unregulated child care is actually dangerous for children and their lives, and regulated child care ensures that a much higher percentage of kids are kept safe in an environment in which parents can trust that their kids will be properly cared for.
That's another reason that structured and high-quality child care that is affordable is such a fundamental way to make sure that everybody has a choice in this society, in contrast with simply hoping that parents can take care of their child.
Is that not why we are also looking at exploring and funding child care across the country, including early learning?