Cradles or careers: closing the fertility gap among mothers in British Columbia

This study explores how the British Columbia (B.C) provincial government can reduce the provinces "fertility gap" defined as the difference between a mother's desired number of children and her actual number of children. These recommendations flow from an analysis of original survey data from 80 B.C mothers which suggests that the fertility gap is related to an absence of social support as well as broader structural constraints. The study explores three policy options to decrease the fertility gap including: (1) amending the BC Employment Standards Act to provide a statutory right to request flexible work arrangements; (2), extending existing childcare supports to cover non-standard work hours; and (3) introducing a BC Early Childhood Caregiving Benefit. After comparing these options to the status quo according to a series of criteria, this study recommends the province implements the first option and to legislate a statutory right to request flexible work arrangements.