CUPE Saskatchewan concerned about child care affordability

The goal of $10-a-day daycare has been met, but that doesn’t mean the system is working, according to the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

The union argues that without government topping up the costs not covered by that lower fee, child-care facilities face uncertainty.

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Cara Werner, chair of Child Care Now Saskatchewan and a child-care provider, said child-care centres are already struggling with rising operating costs and funding that does not reflect the true cost of providing care.

“For years, families were told that child care would become more affordable, more accessible and more sustainable,” said Werner. “Instead, the July 1 changes have moved us in the opposite direction. Families are struggling to find care, providers are facing growing financial pressures and educators are questioning whether they can stay in the sector.”

CUPE Saskatchewan and Child Care Now are hosting a series of public town halls to discuss solutions for strengthening and protecting child care in Saskatchewan.

“We are holding these town halls to hear from community members and work together on solutions,” said Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. “When child care doesn’t work, our economy doesn’t work. Investing in child care means investing in Saskatchewan’s workforce, supporting communities and building a stronger future for our province.”

CUPE maintains that changes made by the provincial government in July have reduced the amount of money child-care facilities receive.

CUPE is Saskatchewan’s child-care union, representing more than 300 child-care workers across the province and more than 12,000 across Canada.