Today’s policy notes are in response to a question about Greens’ child care policies from WF.
The Greens have several policies, that taken together will support families universally. The statistics of Canadian children living in poverty, particularly in our First Nations communities are abhorrent and unacceptable. Children living in middle-class homes are found to have serious at- risk issues in larger numbers than those living in poverty. The conclusion is that families need more support and implementing Green policies will improve children’s lives, along with the rest of the family.
Green Party MPs will work to end poverty through a variety of measures including those to ensure a guaranteed living income for all citizens; tax reform; investment in a national housing program and working with the provinces and territories to complement their anti-poverty initiatives.
The Greens are committed to restoring and revamping the 2005 agreement reached between the federal government, provinces and territories to achieve a universal child care programme in Canada. We will specifically ensure that Canada’s universal child care programme provides workplace spaces wherever possible to increase time spent with children, increase worker productivity, ensure quality care through frequent interactions, and allow nursing to continue longer where infants and mothers wish to continue. We will accelerate the creation of these spaces through a direct tax credit to employers (or groups of employers in small business).
The Green Party values the decisions of parents who choose to stay home with children. Our income-splitting policy will benefit many low and middle-income families where one spouse (regardless of gender) chooses to stay at home. Our anti-poverty and pay equity measures will support single-parent families.
One policy cannot address all the challenges our society faces – the key is to have integrated policies that do not leave anyone behind.
