In February 2026, the Province paused expansion of its $10-a-day childcare system — putting its longstanding promise of universal, affordable childcare at serious risk. At the same time, the Province also committed to "work to bring more equity into the system" during the pause. We couldn't agree more — equity is essential. 

For families living in poverty, equity means removing fees altogether. That is the promise of universality: quality, affordable childcare available to every family who needs it — regardless of income or circumstances. Equity and universal access are not competing priorities. They are two parts of the same commitment. 

BC has already laid the groundwork for a universal childcare system that ensures equitable access for all families. Now we need to make sure it reaches every family who needs it. We are calling on the Province to:  

Our research is clear: Zero-fee childcare is life-changing for families in poverty

Since 2023, CFE has been making the urgent case for equity in childcare directly to key decision-makers. Our research is robust and compelling: access to zero-fee childcare is life-changing for families in poverty.   

Our Making Mothers Matter research, published in our A Whole Life report, tells a tale of two childcare systems in BC. For lone mothers and low-income families who can access a $10-a-day space, the difference is profound: greater economic stability, reduced reliance on gig work, improved health and wellbeing, and better outcomes for their children. Our research surfaced the impact of childcare on the participants’ quality of life and on their children’s development.   

But our data also reveals an alarming gap. The existing network of spaces has proven inequitable, inaccessible, and incomplete for the low-income families who need it most. Long waitlists, uneven implementation, and not enough spaces mean zero fee childcare is not reaching Black and racialized, Indigenous, newcomer, and lone-mother households disproportionately impacted by poverty. 

Our Champions

Our childcare campaign is led by a team of eight Equitable Child Care Champions — all parents directly impacted by poverty and the need for accessible, affordable childcare in BC, and existing leaders in our Lone Mothers' Economic Inclusion project. Together, they are scaling community leadership and building a network of lone mother and gender-diverse advocates supported by our Regional Impact Committees across BC. 

BC already has deep equity measure built into its system  

BC needs to prioritize and complete the $10-a-day program — it is the foundation for equitable access and high-quality childcare in this province. This means enough spaces to meet existing need, competitive, equitable wages for educators, inclusive supports, quality programs and facilities, and sustainable operating funding. 

This universal childcare system must work for everyone. For families living in poverty, that means removing fees altogether. In 2018, BC introduced the Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB). This benefit reduces fees to zero for those living below the poverty line for those who can access a $10-a-day spot.  

For low-income parents in poverty, lack of access to zero-fee childcare is one of the largest barriers to employment. For families who can access it, the ACCB is working — opening doors to the labour market for lone mothers and families living in poverty. It is one of the most impactful economic inclusion and poverty reduction measures ever implemented in BC. 

But zero-fee childcare is not reaching the families who need it most 

Today, the ACCB only reaches families who can access a $10-a-day space. But in non $10-a-day spaces, the ACCB does not go far enough. Fees are highly variable, leaving many low-income parents shut out by a system that is overly complicated and hard to navigate. The Province should streamline and simplify the system so that targeted zero-fee support reaches families who need it most.

The ask is straightforward: Build on the equitable foundation already in place 

Poverty is not a personal failure. It is the preventable result of policy choices — and it can be undone by them. These families are not asking for exceptional treatment. They are asking for the same right to economic participation that every family deserves. 

The Province has put equity in childcare on the record. We’re taking that as a signal that our concerns are being heard. This is the moment to keep pushing. If we can hold them to their word on equity, it will be a real win for the families who need it the most.

Send a clear message to the Province today urging them to maintain the Affordable Child Care Benefit. And to guarantee that the lowest-income families have access to zero-fee childcare across all publicly-funded childcare spaces while the universal $10-a-day system is being fully built out.