Mr. Speaker, the greatest single threat to affordable child care is the ideological aversion of New Democrats and Liberals that would have opposed 30% of child care operators from being in the deal—because they oppose the inclusion of for-profit child care, because they are so blinded by ideology instead of practical reductions in savings for working people in the province of Ontario.

This Premier got a deal done—not any deal; a better deal—with a billion more dollars on the table and next-year funding guarantees, and yes, a commitment to increase wages for the very workers who make a difference in our child care centres.

Mr. Speaker, we’re increasing wages by $1 per hour per year. We instituted, for the first time, a wage floor, and we made a commitment. The parliamentary assistant has been leading a consultation to go even further.

Let’s work together to make child care affordable. This year, the average rate went from $46 a day to $23 a day—a 50% savings, and a major step forward. Let’s do this for families in Ontario.

To the members opposite: We can agree that ECEs play a critical role. It is a profession that is worth entering, and with great opportunity. Of course, while we’re increasing their wages and strengthening the supports we’re providing for the workers, we’re also putting an emphasis on reduction in fees and increase of access.

Mr. Speaker, under the former Liberal government, one of the legacies—perhaps New Democrats and Progressive Conservatives could agree—was the indefensible increase of 400% in child care fees for working parents. It became a choice of staying home or working. It undermined labour market participation of women in the economy.

We’re finally getting this done. We stood up to the federal government for a better deal that includes more affordability, more spaces, and more federal investment.

We’ll continue to stand with those workers, stand with families, reduce fees, increase access, and increase the wages of the people who make a difference in the life of our kids in Ontario.