The cost of childcare in British Columbia and questions about who deserves a subsidy program dominated the provincial election campaign Tuesday as the provincial Conservatives accused NDP Leader David Eby of dodging questions about his family's use of $10-a-day childcare.
Eby said he and his wife donated the difference in costs after their children's daycare fell under the $10-a day program a couple years ago, but he declined to specify the amount.
He said he and wife Cailey Lynch, a doctor, didn't need the daycare discount that has only reached a minority of parents in the province and they wanted other families to benefit after the centre switched to the subsidized rate, so they made the donation to the facility.
"We made the decision as a family that we didn't need that benefit," he said, at an unrelated campaign announcement in Vancouver.
He has faced pressure on the issue since confirming on Monday that his child's daycare fell under the program, and said in a statement he would make a similar donation to the centre for their youngest child, who attends the same facility.
Eby was asked in Vancouver on Tuesday if his party would introduce means testing for the $10-a-day program, and responded that his focus lies on working with the federal government to create affordable childcare spaces for all British Columbians.
"We made sure to include a very clear commitment from the feds to sit down with us, and deliver childcare in British Columbia, because it is an economic strategy," he said.
Eby added that he will continue to do the work on building out affordable childcare in B.C.
His campaign said later in a statement that the average childcare rate in B.C. is now $20 per day, down from $60 per day when the party first formed government nine years ago.
Vancouver Conservative candidate Margareta Dovgal said in a statement that Eby finds himself in damage control.
"Voters see the hypocrisy, and David Eby needs to stop dodging the tough questions, and come clean."
Dovgal said several questions remain unanswered, including the size of the donation to the facility, and its timing.
Eby was speaking at a campaign event before he is scheduled to join interim B.C. Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson and Greens Leader Emily Lowan at a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade event, where they will pitch their plans to business leaders with less than two weeks to go before the Oct. 24 provincial election.
A televised leaders' debate is set for Wednesday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2026.
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