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Real Questions about Universal Child Care

January 1, 2021

Family

Research Brief

Child Care Parents & Children

Since the start of the pandemic, calls for universal child care have picked up steam. Before pursuing this policy approach, however, there are important questions to answer. These questions pertain to all aspects of child care—accessibility, quality, and cost. Every family is different, and child care needs and desires vary. Will a federally funded, universal system be able to meet these needs?

Is Quebec a model of high-quality, affordable care?

Does the Quebec model help parents?

Should the federal government introduce a new child-care model?

Cash benefits for families and a national daycare system?

Will a “universal” early-learning and child-care system get mothers back to work?

Do those who oppose a national daycare system also oppose working mothers?

Does Nobel Prize–winning economist James Heckman support universal daycare?

Do we have a credible cost estimate for a national, high-quality universal daycare system?

Would spending 1 percent of GDP on child care achieve a national, high-quality daycare system?

Is there a shortage of child care in Canada?