A Finite Funding Source

So here's the story; a young Ukrainian couple had decided two years ago to migrate to more personally advantageous shores.  Since both young people are well educated and one intended to pursue higher education in Canada it wouldn't have been difficult for them to qualify for the required visas.  Olena Stetskevych, 28, had already attained a master of laws degree from Ukraine.  She had taught at the Odessa National Academy of Law

Her husband is an accountant and he arrived in Canada as a skilled worker and did not experience difficulty finding work in Ottawa in his field.  The fly in their ointment is that Ms. Stetskevych claims her husband's salary is not generous enough to enable them to pay for childcare to the tune of $1,700 monthly for their nine-month old little boy.  She is a master of laws student in Ottawa, who interrupted her studies to have the child and give him initial care as an infant.

She now plans to return to school and requires a reliable childcare service for her little boy.  So she made an application to the city for a subsidy in anticipation that she would be provided with the majority funding for her child's care to the tune of $1,400 monthly.  Only to be informed by the city that its inclusion policy had been revised and most master's and doctoral students were disqualified for application for that subsidy.

"This situation is ridiculous.  I think that the changes they've made are really offensive to women.  Because it means women who are mothers, they have to give up their master's or PhD programs and mind their kids.  This is what the City of Ottawa is telling women", she stated angrily.  Well, she is right, this is indeed what the City of Ottawa is telling women.  After all, it was her decision to have a child and if she is now inconvenienced by that fact, so be it.

Where does she think the money comes from?  The general manager of community and social services for the city explained that Ottawa had to take the step to narrow eligibility as a result of a surge in demand for childcare subsidies.  About 4l,700 subsidy applications were received in 2012, a considerable upsurge from the previous year, so demand clearly outstrips the ability to satisfy everyone.

"We have to focus on those most in need.  What we're trying to do is give people the opportunity to get some basic education so they can improve their employment opportunities", explained Aaron Burry.  A sound enough explanation.  Even so the city has continued subsidized childcare to students working toward Canadian equivalencies of foreign degrees. 

"What do I do now?  I don't know.  I'm in a very uncomfortable situation ...  It seems like I cannot go on with my studies."  Seems that way, since she has lost her childcare spot.  Something about counting your chickens before they're hatched?  Due diligence, that kind of thing.  "We have never asked the Canadian government for any financial assistance, but we do need daycare for our child to pursue our careers, stay employed and contribute to society", she pouts.

It is wrong for people to assume that social assistance and subsidies of that nature will automatically be proffered.  People must be responsible for the results of their own decision-making.  It is not up to the Canadian taxpayer to ensure that someone who aspires to a doctorate or a master's degree will be aided to achieve that goal by others who will never have that opportunity.  If someone wants a child, that someone should be prepared to raise that child; it is their responsibility.

The whining about never having asked the Canadian government for financial assistance is absurd; simply being in Canada she is privileged to receive taxpayer-assured health care services at the very least, relieving her and her husband of that considerable burden.  Those who feel themselves entitled to very special support that comes at the expense of others having to pay for it simply are not facing up to reality.

The Province of Ontario has given $43.3 million to the municipality to administer that assistive childcare program.  It is a finite fund, ensuring only half of those who apply will be given the assistance they wish for.  This too is reality.  And a rather generous one at that.