Human Resources Committee on May 28th, 2026

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

In Alberta, for example, there is a 45% ratio of privatization for the funds the federal government supports the province with, so we have a healthy balance in that province, as well as in other provinces.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Why not in every province? Why just in provinces like Alberta?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Well, some provinces, like Saskatchewan, have always had a public system, and they're not interested in privatization. They have a public system and—

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

They're not interested. That's interesting. That's not what I've heard.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

What I'm saying is that their system was built on a public framework, so they have worked largely within their public framework. Different provinces have different approaches.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Minister, we have a crisis. There are more families—

[Leslie Church, Liberal, Toronto—St. Paul's, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

Could we please allow the minister to finish responding to the questions that are being raised?

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

That's not how this works.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster—Meadow Lake, SK]

That's not how this place works.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Read the book.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Order, members.

It's the member's time, and the member has the right to question the witness as the member chooses, as long as it doesn't get into harassment, which is not occurring.

Ms. Goodridge.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

The policies your government has put in place are putting female-owned small businesses out of business because you are preventing them from accessing government funds in so many cases. This is having a major impact. Families are stuck on wait-lists. They cannot access care. Does that concern you?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Of course, we are working with all the provinces and territories to both reduce fees and increase spots. I would say that we are seeing great progress, including in Alberta, where the average daily price for child care is $15 a day, saving families up to $13,700 per family.

This is quite—

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Has the government met its target—

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

—an accomplishment for a government, and for an opposition party that talks—

[An. hon. member]

It's the member's time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Minister, it is the member's time.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Has the government met its target for space creation?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Some provinces have done better—

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

It's a yes or no.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

—than others in terms of space creation.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

The answer is no.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

In fact, we are working on the next round of plans with provinces and territories to make sure they reach those commitments.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

So far, the answer is no. Is that correct?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

What I would say is we're seeing different accomplishments across the country, and some provinces have met space targets.