Human Rights and International Governance

Next week, Ontarians will decide whether a change of government at Queen’s Park is necessary. The intent of this posting is not to provide editorial commentary on whom I think should win. Rather, the intent is to reflect on on the wealth in this province, and, more specifically, what can be done to ensure that it is distributed in such a way that all Ontarians are able to share in the spoils.
     Economic rights are often described as “aspirational rights.” Unlike political and civil rights, which, by and large, require the state not to engage in a particular activity (i.e. censorship or ill-treatment), the advancement of economic rights often, although not always, requires significant public spending. Of course, budgets are finite. Governing is about making difficult choices and setting priorities. The question facing any government – and it is not an easy one to answer – is about how best to help the greatest number of those in need for the lowest cost. Subsidized daycare is one option.
     Unlike in Quebec, which has $7/day daycare, the daycare system in Ontario is geared towards meeting the needs of the middle-classes. Depending on where one lives in the province, the cost of putting a child who is under the age of 18 months in full-time daycare is about $1000 to $1300 per month in after-tax dollars, although a portion of this is tax-deductible. After 18 months, the cost does go down, although not significantly until the child is four years old. To Ontarians in the lower income brackets, the system is simply inaccessible. Unless extended-family or friends can help out, one parent (often the mother) will, in all likelihood, have to leave the workforce. Many families choose to have one parent stay home for non-monetary reasons, which is noble. But many also do so out of necessity, because their financial situation is such that daycare really isn’t an option.
     Whether Ontarians frame access to daycare as a “rights” issue is beside the point; subsidized daycare for low-income families is an investment in society. Granted, the costs to taxpayers will not be insignificant. However, if the aim of the state is to provide social services that raise the standard of living for those at the bottom of the economic ladder, then the rewards will be worth it. The educational benefits aside, reserving spots for low-income households will allow these families to not only make ends meet but also get ahead. It will allow both parents to join the workforce, or even go back to school. It will allow for greater family savings, and even the accumulation of capital and equity. Of course, it is not a perfect solution. Subsidized daycare will not bring every family in the ranks of the middle-classes. But it will help a great many. For these families, aspiring for a better life will give way to actually living a better life...which, in turn, will make Ontario a better place for all of us to live.  
     Happy Thanksgiving.

The opinions expressed are the personal views of the author only, and do not represent the views of any organization or institution with which he is affiliated.