Calgary Chamber calls on all levels of government to enhance childcare policy to address labour shortage

The following statement on the dropping of the writ is attributable to Deborah Yedlin, President and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce:

Calgary, May 9, 2023 – “In light of the recent Childcare Resource and Research Unit report, which found only 29 per cent of Canadian families who require affordable childcare are available to access them, the Calgary Chamber continues its call on all levels of government to advance the accessibility of affordable and high-quality childcare, ensuring the federal childcare commitment to $10 per day is unilaterally realized. Accessible childcare is critical to reducing the labour shortage, increasing our labour force participation, boosting our GDP and ultimately increasing the size of our economy.

“The Chamber continues to advocate for, and support, the expansion of childcare across Canada. As outlined in the Chamber’s provincial election platform ACCELERATE: Driving Alberta Forward, we call on the next provincial government to amend the cap on fee increases currently set at three per cent to include inflation (reindexed annually) and ensure the index educator wage top-ups match inflation. The Calgary Chamber also calls on the federal government to top up funding for provincial agreements based on inflation.

“We call on all governments to collaborate and prioritize the creation of additional private and not-for-profit childcare, while ensuring new and existing spaces remain affordable. Childcare is critical for attracting and retaining talent, and maintaining Alberta’s competitive advantage as an attractive place to live and work. Policymakers must work alongside childcare providers and parents to address the accessibility gap and meet the needs of families across the country, eliminating the choice between staying at home or returning to the work force because the cost of childcare is too high. Our collective economic success is at risk if we don’t address this pressing issue.”

ABOUT ACCELERATE

Through extensive consultation with Calgary’s business community, the platform outlines five pillars that advance Alberta’s economic prosperity and provide a roadmap for a path forward including fiscal responsibility, affordability and rising costs, economic diversification and competitiveness, talent and labour and strategic infrastructure investments. To read the full platform, please visit www.calgarychamber.com/accelerate.

ABOUT THE CALGARY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Calgary Chamber exists to help businesses thrive. As the convenor and catalyst for a vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous business community, the Chamber works to build strength and resilience among its members and position Calgary as a magnet for talent, diversification, and opportunity. As an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization, we build on our 131-year history to serve and advocate for businesses of all sizes, in all sectors, and across the city.

Media opportunities

For media inquiries, please contact Shannon Hazlett, Senior Public Relations Advisor, at media@calgarychamber.com.