Local MPP says childcare deal would provide affordable daycare and help fix child care staff shortages in Niagara.
St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens is demanding the Ford government to increase wages for daycare staff and implement $10 a day childcare.
In a letter to Premier Doug Ford, Stevens says there is a child care staffing shortage in Niagara.
"In Niagara specifically, we have been experiencing a child care staffing shortage for years. The Niagara Region is predicting a 300 RECE staff shortage in Niagara, which translates into Niagara licensees operating at 51% capacity for full day childcare and 37% capacity for before and after school care. "
She also says the average salary for early childhood education workers is below poverty.
"The average ECE salary in Canada is between $25,000 and $37,000 a year, despite 90% of employees having a post-secondary education. For context, a livable wage in Niagara as of 2021 is $18.90, yet upwards of 42% earn as little as $15 to $20 per hour."
Stevens notes implementing $10/day childcare and investing in childcare capacity to support hiring practices would help retain ECE workers while showing support to families.
During a press briefing earlier today. Education Minister Stephen Lecce told reporters the government is working on a childcare deal with the federal government, but "more investments" need to be made in order to lower the cost of child care to $10 a day.
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