As families across Canada prepare to celebrate Mother's Day this Sunday, it is worth recognizing not only the role moms play at home, but also the increasingly important role they play in the labour market and broader economy. There is growing evidence that children benefit from seeing their mothers participate in the workforce. Research has found that daughters of working mothers are more likely to pursue careers, move into leadership roles, and earn higher incomes later in life, while sons often develop more balanced views around caregiving and household responsibilities. In many ways, labour market attachment shapes not only today’s economy, but also the expectations and opportunities of the next generation.
For much of modern economic history, moms have quietly become one of the most important pillars of Canada’s labour market. Since the 1970s, the employment rate of mothers in Canada has nearly doubled, rising from just over 40% to 82% in 2025. This is not simply a social trend; it is an economic necessity. With labour shortages persisting across healthcare, education, finance, retail, and professional services, Ontario’s economy increasingly depends on the participation of women, particularly mothers, in the workforce.
The impact is especially visible in Toronto, where dual-income households have become the norm rather than the exception. Toronto’s high cost of living means that many families simply cannot rely on a single income. At the same time, employers across the region continue to struggle to find skilled workers. In many ways, the economic growth of Toronto over the last several decades has been tied directly to the increased labour market attachment of women and mothers. Put simply: when moms work, the economy grows.
The introduction of Canada’s $10-a-day childcare framework has therefore been an important step forward. Ontario has already seen labour force participation among mothers with children aged 0 to 5 increase following the rollout of childcare fee reductions. Affordability clearly matters. But affordability alone is not enough. Research from the Toronto Workforce Innovation Group (TWIG) highlights ongoing shortages of childcare spaces, particularly for infants and toddlers, along with growing shortages of Early Childhood Educators. Many parents continue to struggle to find care close to where they live or work, particularly in lower-income neighbourhoods and areas facing long commute times.
If Ontario and Toronto want to continue strengthening their economies, improving labour market attachment for moms must remain a priority. The conversation can no longer simply be about childcare as a social program but it is economic infrastructure. Expanding childcare spaces, improving wages and retention for ECE workers, and ensuring care is accessible across all neighbourhoods will help more mothers participate fully in the workforce. The $10-a-day program was an important beginning. The next challenge is building a childcare system that truly matches the realities of modern work and modern families.
