What are the real lessons to learn from Quebec child care?

I wrote this response to an opinion piece by Andrea Mrozek published by CBC News Opinion.  My response didn’t get published.  Here’s a flavour:

“Child care in Quebec is very affordable, and is very popular with parents.  Its affordability has had dramatic positive impacts on women’s employment, family incomes, and child poverty.  Reputable economists claim that these effects are so positive that funding child care affordability can completely or nearly completely pay for itself.  However, as Ontario develops its child care policies, it is important to imitate Quebec’s successes and avoid Quebec’s mistakes.”

Response to Mrozek

Tax credits for child care?

Response to Parisa Mahboubi’s proposal of tax credits for child care

Parisa Mahboubi complains (Globe and Mail, April 11th) about Ontario’s new plan to provide free preschool child care, but I think she should be cheering instead. I agree with her that the cost of child care is a major barrier to increased labour supply, to gender equality in employment, and to children gaining positive experiences in child care.

Continue reading “Tax credits for child care?”