NDP calls on Premier Wynne to stop forcing parents to pay child care wait list fees

Queen’s Park – During Question Period today, Peter Tabuns, NDP MPP for Toronto-Danforth, demanded Premier Wynne ensure that parents will no longer be forced to pay fees to have their children on waiting lists for child care.

“We know families in Ontario are paying the highest fees in the country.  They are waiting on the longest lists, and we know some parents, particularly women, are being forced to delay getting back into the work force because they can’t find a spot for their child,” Tabuns said.

“To make matters worse, parents are being forced to pay fees just to get on these overwhelmingly long lists. These fees are non-refundable and have a disproportionate impact on our most vulnerable.”

“Will the Premier immediately ensure that parents are no longer forced to pay fees just to get on a wait list for child care?,” Tabuns said.

The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care has said that the 2016 Ontario budget again squandered any chance to make child care a priority in this province.   Tabuns called on Premier Wynne for a long-term, affordable, child care plan, and added that child care is a smart investment.  For every one dollar spent, the province can see a $1.50 return.

“I just want to make it clear to the Premier that introducing regulations that child care experts and advocates, as well as parents and families, strongly disagree with, is actually not a child care policy,” Tabuns said.  “Allowing wait lists for subsidized spaces to grow and grow, is also not a child care policy.  Forcing parents, especially women, to stay home because they can’t find a child care space, is also not a child care policy.”

“Ontarians deserve a comprehensive, evidence-based, long-term plan for  universal, high-quality child care in this province.  Will the Premier take the first step, will she ensure that families are not forced to pay fees just to sit on waiting lists?,” Tabuns said.

Earlier this morning, Tabuns held a press conference with child care advocates, and families, to address the impact of child care wait list fees in Ontario.  Tabuns has put a bill forward in the legislature to protect parents from the fees.

Press Conference:   https://db.tt/cxFtHOE4

Question Period:   Audio  https://db.tt/gCBbZlRG     Video https://db.tt/FbdNx7Bu