BC’s Child Care Budget Falls Short: Advocates Call for Action
March 11, 2025
British Columbia’s 2025 budget has fallen short on child care spending, say BC child care advocate, and this will leave many parents without affordable options, exacerbating the child care crisis across the province.
“In a budget that claims to support the critical services British Columbians rely on, it is noteworthy that in year eight of their 10-year plan, the provincial budget for child care is not increasing,” said Sharon Gregson of the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC. “The small increase in $10aDay child care spending is wholly due to the federal government.”
While some families have secured access to the coveted $10-a-day child care spaces, many others continue to struggle with high fees or remain on lengthy waitlists. This creates a system of inequity where access to affordable child care feels like winning the lottery rather than a guaranteed right.
“In a budget that claims to support the critical services British Columbians rely on, it is noteworthy that in year eight of their 10-year plan, the provincial budget for child care is not increasing,”
Sharon Gregson, Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC.
The implications of this budget extend beyond individual families. At a time when the government is expediting resource projects to stimulate economic growth, the lack of widespread child care support hinders workforce participation—particularly for women with young children. Without affordable and accessible child care, many parents are unable to enter or remain in the workforce, limiting BC’s economic potential and the province’s response to US President Trump’s trade war with Canada.
Advocates are also questioning why BC lags behind other provinces in implementing broader child care affordability measures.
“We wonder how it is that nine other provinces and territories are able to cap ALL their parent fees (even Alberta and Ontario) – but BC has only capped fees in 10% of the spaces in our province?” said Emily Mlieczko of the Early Childhood Educators of BC. “How is it that seven other provinces and territories have been able to implement publicly funded wage grids for their early childhood educators, but BC has not?”
As BC continues to navigate economic challenges, child care advocates stress that investing in early childhood education is not just a social issue but an economic one. Without meaningful action, the province risks missing a crucial opportunity to support families, strengthen the workforce, and drive economic growth.