Child care plans

In the current federal election campaign in Canada, there's been a lot of talk about different philosophical approaches to government support of child care. The Liberals and NDP want to expand publicly funded day care spaces. The Conservatives want to provide an allowance of $1,200 per year per child under six, taxable in the hands of the parent with the lower income.

My own view is that there should be a combination of the two: provide funded spaces for those who want them, and compensate to some extent parents who choose to stay home to raise their kids.

For me, it boils down to these four points:

1. Parents know what is best for their children.


2. Governments should empower parents to make choices for their children's care.


3. For parents to make choices, there must be viable options from which to choose.


4. Governments should not criticize the choices that parents make - because their friends, family, neighbours, co-workers and complete strangers can and will do that.