Economists have been increasingly vocal on the fiscal rationale for strategic investments in the early years.

But how to invest wisely?

In 2024, the question is urgent as provinces and territories look to the second half of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreements (CWELCC) signed in 2021 with a promise of $10-a-day child care, and many scramble to meet the exploding demand for space.

Yet $10-a-day day child care remains a pipe dream for many families.

One leading Canadian economist, Craig Alexander,
has presented a strong argument for leaning on the neighbourhood public school in the push to expand early learning.