Moncton — The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity is concerned by the lack of any mention of wages in the one-year federal-provincial agreement on early learning and child care.
"We commend the provincial government's efforts to improve training and the quality of child care. However, this must go hand in hand with equitable remuneration for early childhood educators, and at present, their wages are still well below pay equity," says Frances LeBlanc, the Chair of the Coalition.
A 2014 study found that the equitable wage for early childhood educators would have been about $20 per hour at the time. Six years later, wages only reach $18 per hour.
"Continued investments are needed to ensure pay equity, reduce challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified educators, and build a quality child care system. Society as a whole will benefit from it," adds Frances LeBlanc.
The Coalition is therefore directing its attention to the upcoming provincial and federal government budgets. It has high hopes for the federal government's promise to create a Canada-wide early learning and child care system.
"The pandemic threatens to set women back, in large part because of the disruptions in child care. That's why New Brunswick needs a high-quality, affordable and inclusive early learning and child care system. It is essential for children, families, the full participation of women in the labour market and a fair and sustainable economic recovery," concludes Frances LeBlanc.
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