Is it finally time for a national child care program in Canada?

Next week, the federal New Democrats will evoke an old Canadian debate when they unveil their plan for a national childcare program.

According to the Canadian Press, an NDP government would negotiate deals with the provinces to create more child care spaces at an affordable rate similar to Quebec’s $7 a day, universal child care program.

"In 2014, it’s unacceptable that many families have to pay more for childcare than they do for rent. The NDP is determined to propose a practical plan to address the needs of parents across Canada," leader Thomas Mulcair said in a statement earlier this week.

"The federal government has to be an active partner with provinces in order to help parents. After 30 years of Liberals and Conservatives promising and yet failing to deliver, the NDP isn’t waiting until the next election. In the coming weeks, we will be announcing the details of a national childcare program that an NDP government will put in place."

While details of Mulcair’s plan are vague, there is some merit to a national program.

Daycare costs are increasingly eating up Canadian family incomes — averages range from $527 per child per month in New Brunswick to $725 in Manitoba, and $850 in British Columbia.

That’s if you can find daycare space: As noted in a recent Toronto Star report, more than 75 per cent of women with children between the ages of 3 and 5 are in the workforce, but there is only space in licensed daycare centres for 22.5 per cent of preschool children.

There’s also the belief that a national program would improve our economy: some argue that it would mitigate labour shortages and alleviate poverty given that parents — and women in particular — would have the opportunity to get out into workforce.

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The counter-argument was presented by the National Post editorial board column during the 2011 election campaign.

There’s also the costs.

Quebec’s program costs the Quebec taxpayer upwards of $2 billion a year.

In 1986, the federal government estimated that the cost of a comprehensive universal national child care program would be $11.3 billion annually.

Almost 30 years later, what would the cost be now?

Will Mulcair share that information next week?

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A national childcare program is an issue that has come up in elections in past.

In 2004, 2006 and 2011 the Liberals promised $5 billion over five years, $1.25 billion a year and $500 million a year respectively to create thousands of new daycare spaces.

The Tories countered — arguing for parental choice — with their universal child care benefit which amounts to approximately $100-a-month for parents with children aged five and under.

It’s a divisive issue and, thanks to the NDP, it’s going to be an issue in 2015.

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