Know This: Election Edition #2

In this edition

• Breaking down the different levels of government

• Tackling rising food prices

• The daycare affordability debate

• Lemon poppyseed cake because the news is exhausting

With the federal election just weeks away, many Canadian families are asking the same questions: Who’s responsible for what? Is the federal government to blame for inflation? Who’s tackling the housing crisis? Should I be calling my city councillor about daycare costs or ER wait times?

At ParentsCanada, we had the same questions—so we decided to dig in and find the answers.

Keep reading for a clear breakdown of what each level of government is actually responsible for. Understanding these roles can be incredibly empowering—especially as we get ready to vote. Knowing who does what is the first step in holding our leaders accountable and making sure they’re serving our communities the way they should.

At ParentsCanada, we’re committed to staying non-partisan because our goal is simple: to give you the facts—no fluff—so you can make informed decisions that matter to you and your family. Knowing this, let’s dive in and make sense of it all, together.

Jane Bradley
President, ParentsCanada

THE EXPLAINER

Who’s Responsible for What? A Breakdown of Government Roles

People seem to blame the feds for…well, everything, but responsibilities are divided across municipal, provincial and federal governments. From housing to healthcare, each level plays a distinct role in shaping the policies that affect families.

THE BIG STORY

What’s Behind the Rising Food Prices? (and What Do the Parties Intend to Do About it?)

What's Happening

Grocery prices have risen dramatically over the last five years, with Canadians spending up to $5000 more on food annually in 2025, in comparison to weekly grocery shopping in 2020. And it’s not going to stop there—experts predict the final tally to rise an additional 3 to 5 percent this year.

What You Need to Know

Rising grocery prices in Canada are being driven by a mix of global and local factors: the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine both disrupted supply chains and increased costs for essentials like grain, while climate change has slashed crop yields at home and abroad. At the same time, a weaker Canadian dollar has pushed up the price of imported goods, especially fresh produce, and major grocery chains have posted record-breaking profits, prompting accusations of price gouging and “greedflation.”

As federal campaigns wage on in the runup to the April 28 election, each party is taking aim at the skyrocketing cost of food in different ways.

The Liberals, led Mark Carney, are leaning into the existing Affordable Housing and Groceries Act to strengthen competition in the grocery sector and crack down on unfair practices. ​

The Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, are focusing on tax relief to offset rising costs but have not proposed specific measures targeting grocery prices directly. ​

The NDP, led by Jagmeet Singh, are proposing emergency price caps on essential items, taxing windfall profits from grocery giants, implementing a Grocery Code of Conduct and removing GST from groceries permanently.

Why It Matters to Families

Rising food prices don’t just strain budgets—they force families to make tough choices between nutrition and affordability. While inflation is global, domestic factors exacerbate the issue in Canada. Party promises vary widely in approach, and it’s expected that all of the platforms would need to expand to help Canadians put food on the table without breaking the bank.

THE HOT BUTTON

The Fate of $10-A-Day Daycare

What’s Happening

Eight provinces and territories now offer $10-a-day daycare (or less!) under the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. This translates to families saving up to $16,200 per child annually, but the future of this initiative is a key election issue since the existing program is only in effect until 2026.

What You Need to Know

Here’s how each of the parties are campaigning on this issue.

• Conservatives: Intending to replace $10-a-day daycare with tax credits to cover up to 75 percent of costs for low-income families.

• Liberals: Planning to extend $10-a-day daycare and continue the mission to add 250,000 new spaces by 2026.

• NDP: Pitching an investment of $10 billion over four years to create 500,000 new spaces and preserve affordable childcare as a legal right.

Why It Matters to Families

Affordable daycare is essential for working parents, but waitlists and workforce shortages persist. The platforms are challenging to compare—families must weigh direct subsidies versus tax credits when deciding where to place their vote. If you’re on the fence, it helps to think of the issue in terms of whether you want the upfront savings that come with retaining reduced-rate childcare, or long-term reimbursement in the form of tax credits.

THE TREAT

Lemon Poppyseed Cake

Because it screams spring and the news is exhausting (but hopefully we’ve been able to help!). This is the perfect cake for a long weekend.

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This month’s newsletter was written by Jane Bradley, edited by Katie Dupuis and designed by Tinker Solution.