Saskatchewan’s New Democrats have looked at the latest data published by the non-profit organization Childcare Resource and Research Unit (CRRU), and they are not happy about what the numbers show.
In a release on August 5, the NDP says those numbers show Saskatchewan as having the fewest childcare spaces in Canada, amounting to a space for only 21 per cent of Saskatchewan children aged 0-5. Taking into account children 0 to 12 years of age, the availability drops to 12 per cent.
“We shouldn’t be last in Canada when it comes to childcare - this is our future at stake,” said Joan Pratchler, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Childcare and Early Education. “And we shouldn’t be last in the country to sign a federal deal on affordable childcare, especially given these numbers. We can't grow our province and our economy without childcare - ask the mining sector, the energy sector, the healthcare sector and more.
Sign the deal. Let’s focus on our future.”
The release notes that Saskatchewan is one of only two provinces left not to have signed a deal on affordable childcare with the federal government, despite parents and early childhood educators demanding they do so for seven straight months.
Adding to the issue is the fear that more childcare spaces could be lost due to the delay with signing a federal deal, according to a survey of 50 childcare operators in the province.
“Childcare centres are sitting on pins and needles worrying about funding when they should have peace of mind so they can focus on supporting kids and their families,” Pratchler said.
Pratchler also said the deal alone will not be enough to get Saskatchewan out of last place, saying the Sask. Party should be prioritizing working with childcare providers to open more spaces, to develop and implement a recruitment strategy for childcare workers, including incentives such as better pay and benefits.
Saskatchewan has been last in Canada in available childcare spaces for at least the past four years, according to the CRRU report.
CRRU’s mandate is to work towards an equitable, high quality, publicly funded, inclusive early learning and childcare system for all Canadians.