Many BC parents will be familiar with the difficulties of
accessing quality, affordable childcare in this province. Wait
lists are long, costs are high, and there are simply not enough
spaces for all the kids who need them.
The lack of meaningful childcare options affects many families,
and hurts women the most. As the women's rights organization West Coast LEAF has pointed out, women continue
to perform the majority of unpaid caregiving in our society. As
they try to balance caregiving and other aspects of their lives, a
lack of affordable childcare creates significant barriers to
working outside the home, creating financial security, and securing
independence. West Coast LEAF also points out that while
international human rights agreements that Canada has signed,
including the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of
Discrimination Against Women and the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights do speak to a
need for government investment
