A growing movement

A number of women's groups are marking International Women's Day by calling on Harper to remove one of the barriers to equal employment by ensuring that child care is made available:

"While families welcome financial support, it is not child care," said Monica Lysack of the Canadian Child Care Advocacy Association.

"Child care is the ramp to equality and a right that women have been fighting for for decades," said Nancy Peckford of the Feminist Alliance for International Action.

"For working women, child care is all about equality," said Barbara Byers, executive vice-president of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Of course, there's little reason to think that Harper himself will pay attention to the opposing viewpoint. But if nothing else, it's always a plus to point out the contrast between the Cons' claim to represent the interests of families, and the position taken by the women most affected by a lack of sufficient child care. And even if this government won't listen, the next one may be more likely to put its full weight behind child care once it recognizes the strength of the pro-care movement.