April 19, 2021
TORONTO, ON – YMCA Canada welcomes the federal government’s budget commitments to building a pan-Canadian early learning and child care program, helping young people secure meaningful employment, and supporting community service charities and non-profits.
As Canada’s largest non-profit child care provider, the YMCA has been advocating for high-quality non-profit early learning and child care that is accessible, affordable, and inclusive for families, and a workforce strategy that recognizes and builds the essential labour force of early childhood educators. YMCA Canada is thrilled to see the historic investment of $30 billion over the next five years for early learning and child care in today’s budget and initiatives to improve affordability for families including reducing fees to an average of $10/day by 2025/26. We also welcome promises to expand access to quality, non-profit licensed child care spaces and before- and after-school care, opportunities to strengthen and grow the essential workforce of qualified early childhood educators, and improving data collection and reporting.
“Lower fees and greater access to non-profit, licensed child care will help children access quality programs that support their growth and wellbeing, and provide parents, particularly mothers, with the capacity and confidence to return to work,” says Peter Dinsdale, President and CEO, YMCA Canada. “Today’s announcement of significant, permanent funding is a pivotal step in establishing a pan-Canadian child care system and supporting families. We are eager to work with all levels of government to support and advocate for a successful rollout and hope to participate in the new National Advisory Council.”
Since the onset of the pandemic, YMCA Canada has been drawing attention to the vital role of charities and non-profits in supporting communities, particularly the most vulnerable, to cope, connect, and recover. Canada’s community and human service charities have responded to increased demands for services at a time of significant financial pressures due to COVID-19. YMCA Canada welcomes today’s announcement of the $400 million Community Services Recovery Fund to help community service charities and non-profits manage the ongoing pandemic, build resiliency through modernization, and support the economic and social recovery of our communities.
“YMCAs and Canada’s charities and non-profits have remained committed to providing programs and services communities rely on, but this has not been without considerable challenges,” says Peter Dinsdale, President and CEO, YMCA Canada. “We thank the Government of Canada for recognizing the role of organizations like the YMCA in an inclusive recovery through the creation of the Community Services Recovery Fund. We are looking forward to working with Employment and Social Development Canada on the creation and implementation of this program.”
YMCA Canada also welcomes the extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, commitments for community housing, and sport programming. Further investments in the Student Work Placement Program, Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, and Canada Summer Jobs will also play an important role in helping young people, particularly youth facing multiple barriers, to find and secure quality job opportunities.