Early Childhood Educators are our most significant yet underappreciated front-line workers who currently make a starting wage of $18 per hour (McLean et al., 2019). We expect educators to nurture and teach the children of our future without considering their financial needs and well-being (Goffin et al. (2020). How can we expect educators to provide quality care for our children if they are continuously undergoing financial stress? Educators who feel financially overwhelmed will subconsciously pass on toxic stress to the children in their care, consequently affecting their well-being and learning abilities (Gould et al. (2019).

Providing Registered Early Childhood Educators with an annual salary of $50,000 will enhance better quality childcare and positively affect our children and their future (Gould et al. 2019). It will increase the number of educators working in the childcare environment by enticing students who have a passion for childcare to enrol in the Early Childhood Educator program rather than choosing an alternative career with higher pay (Gould et al., 2019). The salary could also encourage the educators who felt forced into a career change due to financial stress to rethink their decision and possibly return to the field. (Gould et al., 2019). An increase in educators is an increase in the economy (Gould et al. 2019): it will provide parents with more time for work opportunities, minimize childcare waitlists, and provide all children with the opportunity to learn (Gould et al. 2019). Having more Registered Early Childhood Educators working in the field will embed inclusion in the community and provide higher education for children (Goffin et al., 2020). Most children who have received childcare at a young age show higher academic success rates in the future (Goffin et al., 2020).

Children should be the main priority in childcare (College of Early Childhood Educators, 2017); however, the caregiver's financial stability is also a priority (College of Early Childhood Educators, 2017). The children learn from the educator's actions, and they become a reflection of their teacher (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2014c). Due to the constant increase in Ontario's housing prices (especially Hamilton), people must maintain a stable financial intake to live a comfortable life. Finances play a significant role in one's life and reflect a person's mental health (Goffin et al., 2020). Financial stability is essential when an ECE is going to post-secondary, paying for their education, and spending their time learning (Gould et al. (2019). It is crucial that they feel valued in their job and get the pay they deserve. Creating an environment for an educator that rewards them will result in an enthusiastic teacher, making children happier and more comfortable to engage (McLean et al., 2019). The childcare environment must be suitable for all, must benefit all, and the outcome will be much better (McLean et al., 2019).

With more educators providing quality childcare, the future community and society will benefit (Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario, 2018). Educators could identify any concerns they might have about the children and provide the proper support to avoid future problems (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2014c). Children will avoid future problems if they learn self-regulation and problem-solving skills at a young age (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2014c). Moreover, providing better pay for hard workers will help Educators financially. We live in a society where the housing market has skyrocketed, and unfortunately, people are in desperate need of better and fair pay to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. In conclusion, this petition has provided substantial evidence that it is in the best interest of Canada's children, families, the profession of Early Childhood Education, and the wider society to move from the unstable $18 per hour wage to a new and stable $50 000 salary a year.