1. More women in B.C. will have access to quality, affordable child care

Getting on a waiting list for quality child care shouldn’t have to be part of the third-trimester to-do list. Our child-care investment includes the creation of over 22,000 new licensed child-care spaces to improve access and provide more flexible, inclusive child-care options throughout the province. By 2020–21, the new affordable child-care benefit will reduce the cost of care for up to 86,000 families annually and the new child-care fee reduction program will benefit up to 50,000 families annually. With these investments, families earning less than $45,000 per year will pay little to nothing for licensed care.

2. There’s going to be more homes for single moms with kids

As of 2016, 155,670 B.C. families were led by single mothers. From our research, we know these families are more likely than others to be living in homes that are too small, too costly and in less than stellar condition. We are investing more than $7 billion over 10 years to support housing affordability, so families, including those led by single moms, have access to safe, secure and affordable housing that fits their needs.

3. Senior women living in poverty will have access to better benefits and more affordable housing

As of 2014, one in three (33%) senior women living alone in B.C. live in poverty, compared to 22.5% of senior men. Seniors deserve to live full lives, without having to worry about the cost of housing or the quality of care in assisted-living facilities. We are helping seniors stay at home longer by increasing Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters, meaning seniors in this program will receive, on average, an additional $930 per year.

4. Building homes for women and children fleeing abuse  

Each year, 20,000 women in B.C. experience violence in their relationships. Budget 2018 is investing $141 million over three years to support the construction of 1,500 housing units around the province for women and children fleeing from violence and abuse.

5. B.C. is taking a stand against gender-based violence and walking alongside survivors

We’re providing $18 million over three years to better meet the demand for programs and services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes. This includes counselling, outreach and crisis support, as well as stable, ongoing investments in domestic violence units in B.C. police departments. We are also pledging $2 million to support the Moose Hide Campaign, emphasizing B.C.’s ongoing commitment to end violence against women and children.
 

Bonus: Universal child care takes a hammer to the glass ceiling

We know that women are more likely than men to interrupt their careers, work reduced hours or miss work because of child-care responsibilities. New research points to this issue as one of the biggest factors contributing to the gender wage gap facing women.

Budget 2018 invests more than $1 billion in child care and early learning over the next three years, which means tens of thousands of parents, especially women, will have more opportunities to build a family and pursue their careers.