The financing provisions set down by the federal government fostered a public child care system that was more accessible to low income families. However, the lack of adequate child care spaces and limited subsidies have meant that such families have had difficulty finding spaces for their children at a price they can afford. A number of provinces are now addressing the issue of cost. Other policies for balancing family and employment include maternity and parental leaves, as well as general family leaves. Paid leaves are available through the Employment Insurance regime, for those who meet the eligibility requirements.
All provinces provide unpaid leaves, although in Alberta only maternity leaves are available.
The overview of the situation provided here leads to the conclusion that, under current circumstances, parents are forced to make difficult choices, with potential long-term costs for their children and themselves. Better leave provisions would help them avoid such difficulties. Income security is also moving away from its early designs, in two ways. Universal family allowances have been eliminated, as has the tax deduction for dependent children. In their place, by 1993, the federal government had created a Child Tax Benefit and Working Income Supplement.