The
data, published July 30 by non-profit and non-partisan group Childcare Resource and Research Unit (CRRU), found there was only a full- or part-time daycare space available for 21 per cent of Saskatchewan children ages 0-5 (page 42).
The numbers were even worse when all children ages 0-12 were factored in, with just daycare spaces available for 12 per cent (page 43).
“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.”
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. A recent survey of 50 childcare operators in Saskatchewan found that hundreds more childcare spaces could be lost due to the delay with signing a federal deal.
“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 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.
She said emergency funding should also be considered for centres on the brink of closing.
“We need to be adding childcare spaces and doing everything in our power to protect the precious few that we already have,” Pratchler said.
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.
-30-