Both the NDP and the Green Party of Manitoba have also weighed in now on what they would do to help childcare in the province.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew says he would increase funding for licensed, not-for-profit daycare centres and ensure child-care spaces are built in all new public buildings.

Kinew also says he would aim, over 10 years, to eliminate waiting lists and have childcare available for $15 per day.

He says under the Progressive Conservative government, costs are high, waiting lists are long and too many spaces are privately run.

The New Democrats say their plan would cost about $11.7 million annually by the fourth year.

Meanwhile the Greens are committing to building 2,000 new licensed child care spaces per year over the next 10 years, says Green Party leader James Beddome. 

Beddome estimates this will cost about $31 million a year, based on the total of the average construction cost of $15,000, and the additional annual cost of $1.1 million in operating grants and financial assistance. 

Under the Green plan, no parent earning less than the poverty line would pay for licensed childcare, and the cost of care would gradually increase to a maximum cost of 10 per cent of net family income.

“Based on the Quebec experience, where a fully developed, affordable child care system has led to greater workplace participation, the plan will pay for itself through the resulting additional tax revenues. Applying the Quebec results to Manitoba shows that a universal and affordable child care system could draw into employment up to 18,000 more primary caregivers of children under 12, which would expand the Manitoba economy by up to $1.58 billion, and generate up to $287 million in additional annual government revenue,” says Beddome. 

With files from the Canadian Press.