Brampton

Last Friday, in a discussion about this government’s early learning and child care plan, MP Sonia Sidhu introduced the Singh family of Brampton-South to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. The Singh family, which includes dad Sher Bahadur Singh-, mom Nancy, and their 2 year old son Kanwal Nan Singh, spoke about their experiences as a young working family during the pandemic.

Balancing work and looking after young children is a difficulty the Singh family shares with many families in Brampton South. During the discussion, grandmother and teacher, Jagdeep Kaur mentioned the various conversations she has had with parents facing similar issues. As vice-chair of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women and a mother of 3, MP Sidhu has been a strong voice for affordable child care. When parents, especially mothers, are unable to work as a result of having to look after children, they take on a heavy financial burden. As the Singh family pointed out, women, children, and the economy benefit when child care is made affordable.

These issues are the foundation of Budget 2021’s support for families with young children. Last month, the Federal Government announced an extension to the Canada Child Benefit. Families with a net income of $120,000 or less will receive up to an additional $1200 per child under the age of 6. These payments will help pay for essentials such as short-term child care arrangements, healthy food, and summer clothes. For long term support, Budget 2021 proposes a 50 percent reduction in average fees for regulated early learning and child care in all provinces outside of Quebec, where prices are already affordable, by the end of 2022. As well as nation-wide $10-a-day quality child care within the next 5 years. These investments will work to support parents while creating employment opportunities for childcare workers, 95 percent of whom are women. All together, the Federal budget proposes a historic $30 billion over the next 5 years to support early learning and provide high quality child care that parents can rely on.

MP Sidhu extends her thanks to Minister Freeland for meeting with families in Peel to discuss this important topic and listening to how it affects those in Brampton South.