CHILD CARE
affordability does not always translate into access. “We improved affordability without expanding capacity at the same pace, and many fami- lies have absorbed the resulting strain,” she adds. Manitoba’s largest childcare provider, the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, is supportive of the lower daily rate for families, though president and CEO Cordella Friesen agrees the only way to see true growth in the sector would be to increase the number of childcare spots — a solution that comes down to capital.
“For families who have access to support from relatives such as grandparents, that can take some of the edge off, but not everyone has that option and, frankly, we can’t be relying on it,” Saftiuk says. “We need a system that sup- ports families so they can make the choices that are right for them, recognizing the value of caregiving while ensuring those who want to participate in the workforce are able to do so.” Saftiuk says the introduction of $10-a-day child care has been transformative for many families — but for others, it remains out of reach. Without enough spaces,
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SUMMER 2026
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