HALIFAX - A recent report by a think tank highlights that Halifax is grappling with some of the highest child care costs among major Canadian cities. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives disclosed that as of April, the median fee for daycare in Halifax reached $24 per day per child. This pricing situates Halifax as the sixth most expensive city for child care out of a study covering 35 major cities across Canada.
Notably, Halifax's median daycare fees surpass those in significant metropolitan areas like Toronto, Oakville, and Ottawa, as well as all other Atlantic cities included in the analysis. The report sheds light on the ongoing challenges families face regarding child care affordability, especially as they seek to meet the federal government’s target of achieving an average cost of $10 a day for child care.
Kenya Thompson, associated with Child Care Now Nova Scotia, articulated concerns about the financial strains families in the province endure in procuring affordable daycare. Thompson emphasized the urgent need for the provincial government to make substantial investments in the child care sector. She advocates for the introduction of subsidies that would alleviate the financial burden on families, allowing parents with young children to maintain their positions in the workforce without the added stress of high daycare costs.
The government's commitment to addressing childcare affordability is vital, not just for the well-being of families but also for the broader economic landscape. Without significant intervention, many families might be forced to make difficult choices about work and child-rearing, ultimately impacting their quality of life and career development.
This report, published on July 9, 2025, serves as a critical reminder of the pressing need for systemic changes in child care financing and accessibility in Halifax. It calls for immediate action from both provincial and federal authorities to ensure that the goal of affordable childcare is not only a target but a reality for all families in the region.
