B.C. Premier David Eby defends family's use of $10-a-day child care, says he donated
Eby's family accessed subsidized child care at a YMCA facility and made a donation to it, but the Conservative Party argues his government has failed to make the program widely available.
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British Columbia Premier David Eby defended his family's access to the province's $10-a-day child care program Tuesday, saying they made a donation to the facility to offset the benefit.
Eby confirmed that his family accessed the program through a YMCA facility. One of his children was already attending when it became a designated $10-a-day centre a couple of years ago. His youngest child now also attends the same facility.
"When that occurred, we chose as a family to make a donation to that excellent facility," Eby said in a statement. "We felt that we did not need that discount and we wanted to make sure that the child-care centre could provide other supports for families in the community." The family plans to make another donation, but Eby's statement did not disclose the amounts or whether contributions will equal the savings received.
The Conservative Party of British Columbia criticized Eby for benefiting from scarce subsidized spaces while other families struggle. Conservative candidate Margareta Dovgal for Vancouver-Yaletown said: "What families will not accept is a Premier who promised them $10-a-day child care, failed to deliver it, and then took one of the scarce spots for himself while a single mom working two jobs sits on a waitlist."
Eby earns more than $227,000 annually as premier; his wife works as a physician. The Conservatives did not provide evidence Eby received preferential treatment in securing the child care spot.
The $10-a-day program has no income limit—families at participating facilities receive the reduced rate regardless of earnings, with regular full-time care costing no more than $200 monthly per child. Designated $10-a-day spaces account for approximately 10 per cent of the province's child-care spots. Other programs, including the Affordable Child Care Benefit, can bring some families' costs to $10 a day or less outside designated facilities. The provincial government announced a pause on adding new providers to the $10-a-day program while maintaining support for existing participants.
Will the Eby family's donations equal or exceed the child care savings they received?
How many other high-income families are accessing the $10-a-day program?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
By the numbers
What percentage of B.C.'s child-care spaces are designated $10-a-day spots?
Approximately 10 per cent of the province's child-care spots are designated $10-a-day spaces.
What is the maximum monthly cost for full-time care at a $10-a-day facility?
Regular full-time care at participating $10-a-day facilities costs no more than $200 per child per month.
How many of Premier Eby's children attend the YMCA facility?
Two of Eby's children attend the same YMCA facility—one was already enrolled when it became a designated $10-a-day centre a couple of years ago, and his youngest child now also attends.
