Maple News reports that Canada’s ambitious plan to introduce $10-per-day child care could significantly transform the economic and social integration of immigrant families across the country.
Launched in April 2021 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the federal initiative aims to reduce the average cost of daycare to $10 per day nationwide within five years. To achieve this, the Canadian government pledged $30 billion over five years, followed by a permanent annual investment of at least $9.2 billion. The plan is already in motion, with the federal government reaching child care agreements with seven provinces and one territory.
Part of each agreement includes not only federal funding to lower child care costs but also support to improve facilities, boost pay for workers, and offer professional training. The initiative emphasizes making child care more accessible and equitable, ultimately contributing to economic growth and greater workforce participation—especially among women.
According to Maple News, newly arrived immigrant families stand to gain disproportionately from this policy. Immigrants generally arrive in Canada younger than the average citizen, meaning they tend to start families while still establishing financial stability. Often without extended family nearby and managing tight budgets, newcomers are especially vulnerable to the high cost of child care.
For example, in Toronto—Canada’s top destination for immigrants—monthly child care fees can reach $1,600 per child. For a family with two children, that’s upwards of $3,000 a month. These costs can be prohibitively expensive for newcomer families, especially for immigrant women who frequently shoulder the child-rearing responsibilities.
Many newcomer women are compelled to stay home due to the lack of affordable child care, delaying their entry into the job market and restricting access to social networks. Research has linked this to increased feelings of isolation among immigrant women during their early years in Canada.
By reducing financial barriers, $10-a-day child care could enable immigrant mothers to rejoin the workforce, contribute to the Canadian economy, and integrate more fully into society. With improved access to affordable child care, these families can focus on building lasting roots in Canada.
Canada’s universal child care ambition is as much a social policy as it is an economic one—and for newcomers, it could prove to be one of the most empowering reforms in recent history.