Birch Proposals: The Early Fight for Child Care Quality

In June,1974 Margaret Birch, Provincial Secretary for Social Development delivered to the legislature a proposal to change Ontario’s day care licensing requirements designed, in their words, to “develop and operate less expensive day care services”.  The entire day care community across the province of Ontario rose up in opposition.  People thought that the policy would result in much reduced quality in day care centres.  Julie Mathien and Susan Caldwell, members of the Daycare Reform Action Alliance, describe the policy problem, the campaign and the aftermath.

With Julie Mathien and Susan Caldwell

Interviewed by Susan Colley