British Columbia’s $10-a-day child-care program enrollment put on hold as part of the 2026 budget announcement has sparked mixed reactions from advocates. Launched in 2018 with high hopes of providing affordable and quality child care, the program now faces criticism for failing to meet the increasing demand.
Sharon Gregson of the Coalition of Child Care Advocates in BC questions why the province lags behind others in implementing universal fee reductions, with only a fraction of child care priced at $10-a-day. Highlighting the challenges faced by families, Gregson emphasizes the urgency for all stakeholders to collaborate and address the accessibility and affordability issues plaguing the system.
The decision to pause enrollment, made in response to concerns raised by child-care service providers about equity, has been met with approval from organizations like Vancouver’s Kiwassa Neighbourhood House. Executive Director Darius Maze applauds the move, citing the funding model’s strain on operations and the tough choices child-care centers would have had to make to sustain the previous system.
Maze stresses the importance of fair compensation for child-care workers, underscoring the vital role they play in shaping the future generation. He advocates for a more inclusive and sustainable program that benefits all families, not just a select few, and calls for collaboration with frontline staff to ensure a successful and universal child-care initiative.