Child Care for All Summit Calls for Universal and Inclusive Child Care as Key to Canada’s Economic Future
Ottawa, ON – November 24, 2025 – At a critical moment for Canada’s early learning and child care program, feminist and community leaders from across Canada are gathering in Ottawa this week for the second Child Care for All Summit. The Summit comes in the wake of Budget 2025, which advocates warn could stall progress on the $10-a-day program due to a lack of new investments. Their message is clear: building a fair and sustainable economy requires universal, inclusive, and publicly funded and managed child care for all families.
“Inequality is on the rise in Canada, and access to $10-a-day-child care is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat it” said Gabriela Cervantes, Policy and Advocacy Officer at Oxfam Canada. “When families have $10-a-day child care, they can work, care for their loved ones, and contribute to the economy.”
Hosted by Oxfam Canada, with partners Child Care Now and the Pacific Immigrant Resources Society, and supported by Women and Gender Equality Canada, the two-day summit brings together over 100 advocates, parents, educators, researchers, and policymakers committed to advancing high-quality early learning and child care (ELCC) across the country.
While in Ottawa, advocates will meet with Parliamentarians to call for renewed federal investment and leadership. Despite progress, many families, particularly in rural, Indigenous, and newcomer communities, still face barriers to accessing affordable licensed child care.
“At PIRS, we believe that equitable access to quality child care is essential to building thriving communities,” said Mariam Bouchoutrouch, Executive Director of PIRS. “We are committed to ensuring immigrant and refugee women are part of shaping a child care system that reflects diversity, inclusion, and opportunity for all.”
High-quality public and non-profit child care is central to Canada’s economic future and gender equality priorities. Research shows that federal investments in child care yield some of the highest returns—boosting employment, reducing poverty, and supporting families struggling with rising costs.
“Evidence from Canada and around the world shows that government action and public funding are essential to making child care programs accessible and inclusive of all children” said Morna Ballantyne, Executive Director of Child Care Now. “As all levels of government are making important spending decisions, it is imperative that the economic and social benefits of child care for families and for our country be fully understood.”
Contact Information
Laveza Khan | laveza.khan@oxfam.org | 613-240-4157