By the Numbers – Child care fees in Canadian cities

Toronto — November 13, 2014 — While Canada spends less than most industrialized nations on child care, parents in Canada are among the most likely to be employed. As a result, Canada is inadequately funding a service that is desperately needed. The cost of providing child care is substantially more affordable in provinces with a legislated cap on fees – namely Quebec and Manitoba. In large cities, with no cap on fees, child care can cost as much as a third of the median annual income for women.

► $1,676

The average monthly cost of infant care in Toronto is the highest of any city in Canada. There is no cap on child care fees in Ontario.

► $1,394

Parents in St. John’s pay the second highest rate for monthly infant care. Like most provinces in Canada, there is no cap on child care fees in Newfoundland.

► $152

The average monthly cost of infant care in Gatineau, Laval, Montreal, Longueuil and Quebec City is the lowest in Canada. Quebec has a $7-a-day child care policy (recently increased to $7.30-a-day in October 2014).

► $651

Winnipeg has the second lowest infant care fees in Canada, where a provincial fee cap is also in place.

► $1,324

Toronto also has the highest average monthly fees for toddlers, well above the median average in Canada of $1,000.

► $1,215

Vancouver has the second highest average monthly fees for toddlers.

► $152

Due to the $7-a-day policy in Quebec, Gatineau, Laval, Montreal, Longueuil and Quebec City also have the lowest fees for toddlers in Canada.

► $451

With a provincial cap on all child care fees, Winnipeg has the second lowest average monthly fees for toddlers.

► $998

Toronto also has the highest average monthly fees for preschoolers in Canada.

► $858

Brampton has the second highest child care fees for preschoolers in Canada.

► $152

Again, the Quebec cities of Gatineau, Laval, Montreal, Longueuil and Quebec City have the lowest fees for preschoolers.

► $451

Winnipeg has the second lowest monthly fees for preschoolers in Canada.

► 36%

When child care fees are compared to rates of women’s income, Brampton is the least affordable city in Canada for child care. At 36% of the median income for women, child care in Brampton costs the equivalent of four months of work.

► 35%

Surrey is the second least affordable city for child care, at 35% of the median income for women.

► 34%

Toronto, London and Windsor share the unenviable position of having the third least affordable child care rate in Canada.

► 4%

Gatineau is the most affordable city in Canada for child care, accounting for an average of just 4% of a woman’s income.  Laval, Montreal, Longueuil and Quebec City are not far behind, all with averages of less than 7% of income.

► 15%

Outside of Quebec, Winnipeg is the most affordable city in Canada for child care, with an average cost of 15% of the median income for women.

SOURCE: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives