Ontario Nurses’ Association Supports Child-Care Deal, Looks for Care to be Available During Non-Standard Hours

TORONTO, ON – The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) joins child-care advocates across Ontario celebrating the federal-provincial agreement on affordable child care, announced yesterday, though the largest nurses’ union in Canada continues to watch for details that include the availability of child-care during non-standard hours.

The agreement secures a federal investment of $13.2 billion over six years, allowing the province to expand spaces and deliver an average of $10-a-day child care by the end of 2025.

“Our 68,000 registered nurses, nurse practitioners, registered practical nurses and health-care professionals are a women-dominated workforce,” notes Cathryn Hoy, RN, ONA President. “The availability of affordable child care is vital to them. However, we note that many of our members do not work standard nine-to-five hours and are on the job 24/7. As such, we look forward to seeing details of this arrangement that would enable those working late or night shifts to access the same high-quality, public, not-for-profit child care as every other parent.”

ONA echoed calls from child care advocates to address working conditions in the child care sector, which is witnessing a growing worker shortage, according to the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care.

More details of the agreement are available online.