Canadians across generations prioritize continued investment in early learning and child care, survey shows
A new national survey conducted by the Environics Institute in partnership with YMCA Canada and YWCA Canada reveals that Canadians overwhelmingly support government investment in affordable, high-quality child care. This finding carries important implications ahead of the next federal budget and the March 2026 deadline for the Canada-wide $10-a-day child care system.
The survey, conducted in early 2025, finds that 83% of Canadians agree that Canada should be a country where affordable, high-quality child care is available to all parents who need it. Three in four believe young children benefit from attending child care outside the home.
“This data shows that Canadians are clear: they want governments to stay the course on affordable, high-quality child care,” says Aline Nizigama, National CEO of YWCA Canada. “It’s essential infrastructure, and a cornerstone of gender equity, family wellbeing, and economic opportunity.”
Key findings from the report include:
- Strong national mandate: 83% support universal access to affordable, high-quality child care.
- Willingness to invest: 61% of Canadians prefer maintaining child care subsidies over tax cuts.
- Generational divide: Older Canadians prioritize health spending, while younger Canadians call for investment in child care and education.
- Broad support for the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program that provides funding to provinces and territories so they can provide child care spaces at an average cost of $10 per day: 68% support the federal CWELCC program, even among those without children.
“Child care and economic prosperity are not opposing priorities—they are mutually reinforcing. Failing to address this connection risks missing opportunities for long-term progress, or worse, undoing the progress we’ve already made,” says Peter Dinsdale, President & CEO, YMCA Canada.
The findings come as the federal government is conducting its pre-budget consultations and making decisions on the next stage of its $10-a-day child care commitment.
The Public Support for Child Care Programs in Canada report is available on the YWCA Canada, Environics Institute, and YMCA Canada websites.
View the Public Support for Child Care Programs in Canada report.
Read the coverage on the report in The Global and Mail by Dave McGinn here.
For media inquiries:
YMCA Canada
Denise Gho
Manager, Marketing and Communications
denise.gho@ymca.ca
YWCA Canada
Dana Dignard
National Director, Communications
ddignard@ywcacanada.ca
About YMCA Canada
The YMCA is a charity that ignites the potential in over 2 million people annually, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. Across Canada, the YMCA delivers a wide variety of programs and services that empower people of all ages and life stages to overcome barriers and rise to their full potential. Programs include child care, health and wellness, aquatics, employment services, immigrant settlement, camps, mental wellness, and many other community initiatives that respond to local needs. Foundational to all this is the YMCA’s commitment to creating spaces and experiences where everyone feels safe, welcome, and a sense of belonging.
The YMCA in Canada is comprised of 37 YMCA Member Associations, supported by YMCA Canada, the national office, working together so all Canadians can shine on.
About YWCA Canada
YWCA Canada is the country’s oldest and largest women’s rights organization. A secular, registered charity, we directly impact the lives of more than 330,000 women, girls and gender diverse people each year, offering safe refuge to 1,200 people each night through our shelters.
About the Environics Institute
The Environics Institute for Survey Research was established by Michael Adams in 2006 with a mandate to conduct in-depth public opinion and social research on the issues shaping Canada’s future. It is through such research that Canadians can better understand themselves and their changing society.
