British Columbia’s Green party wants to see free child care for children under three and free early childhood education for three- and four-year-olds.
Campaigning in Vancouver on Tuesday, Green party Leader Sonia Furstenau says their plan would also have financial support for stay-at-home parents of $350 a month.
She says taking care of a child needs to be recognized as a real job that counts as time in the workplace, not as a relaxing time out.
Furstenau says parents with young children in B.C. are facing tremendous pressure as costs skyrocket and household income stagnates.
She is also proposing that the government launch a consultation process with business and labour to explore a four-day workweek, saying there are a number of tools the government can use to help employers shift to a shorter week.
The Green leader says the pandemic has reminded many people that they need to take time away from work to enjoy a better balance, to take care of their mental and physical health, and to look after their families.