Evidence of meeting #62 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was quality.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Sylvie Bérubé Bloc Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC
Ms. Moser, what do you feel needs to be added to Bill C‑35 as a priority?
Director, Board of Directors, Ontario Association of Independent Childcare Centres
I see the disparity in who is benefiting from it right now. It advantages higher-income families, because they were already in the centres because they could afford it. People of lower income are not benefiting from it right now.
Given the purpose of the program, I would like to see a way to make that change. It could direct more money as part of CWELCC in expanding the subsidy system, for example.
It shouldn't be just by chance that you happen to be on a wait-list. If you have a lower income, then you are not on that wait-list. You're not on my wait-list if you're of lower income, because you couldn't afford my fees. People register when they're pregnant. The day they get pregnant, they write to register. It's going to be two years before the person who is of lower income is going to be able to access care. Maybe at that point the child is three years old and they've already practically gone through most of the early years, the most expensive part of child care.
People who are of lower or middle income are not getting subsidies. Perhaps they don't qualify for subsidies right now because they make a little too much money to get subsidies, but they didn't make enough money to be on those lists for the day care and child care centres, which are getting CWELCC funding to reduce fees.
To me, this is backwards. We're not using this money to help women who really need to be able to get care and go back to work. That bothers me as a taxpayer. It also bothers me because I am using my centre for the CWELCC system because I believe in child care so much. Even if I lose some money because of doing that, I'm willing to do it. I want people who really need the care to get it.
I think this has to be looked at very seriously by the committee. Right now, the people getting the benefit of these millions of dollars are people who can afford the care. It's probably not in all centres; I'm just giving you my perspective from what I and many other people see. There are winners and losers, but the winners are definitely people of higher income. I can't tell you how to fix that, but I think it needs to be fixed.
Executive Director, Andrew Fleck Children's Services
In addition to the definition, I would also like to add that there should be a stronger piece around the expectation of compensation. Early childhood educators should be valued for the role that they offer. Also, there should be a lending opportunity for federal funding for borrowing for expansion.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Ms. Bérubé.
We're running a little long, unless you have a short question.
Bloc
Sylvie Bérubé Bloc Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC
Ms. Hiscott, what general criteria must be considered to ensure that National Advisory Council members are reflective of the diversity of Canadian society?
Executive Director, Andrew Fleck Children's Services
It's an interesting question.
Executive Director, Andrew Fleck Children's Services
I think that we continue to review, then, who the members of the council are representing so that we continue to ensure that the members are representing not only research but practice as well.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Madame Bérubé and Ms. Hiscott.
We have Madame Gazan for six minutes.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Thank you so much, Chair.
We've heard a lot about difficulties in expanding the child care system in order to be able to roll out a national child care strategy. One of the central pieces I'm seeing is about a workforce that's unwilling to work in this industry because of poor pay and poor benefits. We know that it's problematic, and—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Ms. Gazan, the bells are ringing. I need unanimous consent from the committee to continue.
Do we have unanimous consent to continue until about 5:30 or 5:35? I believe it's a 30-minute bell.
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.
The bells are ringing, and we do have to head into the House of Commons. I'd like to make the suggestion that we can write to the witnesses with any other questions we have. They can write in to the committee so that all of us will have an opportunity to see their answers.
Therefore, I'd like to move a motion to adjourn so that we can get into the House for the vote.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Ms. Gray.
The committee can only move forward with unanimous consent. I do not have unanimous consent.
Thank you, Ms. Gazan and Ms. Hiscott.
The committee is now adjourned.