You won't believe how expensive child care is in Canada

As part of its election platform, the Liberal Party promised to invest in "affordable, high-quality, flexible, and fully inclusive child care for Canadian families." It's a good thing, too, because according to stats released today by the Centre for Canadian Policy Alternatives, making sure your little ones are looked after is wacky expensive in this country.

The study, which looks at child-care expenses in Canada's 27 most populous cities, also shows a huge variance depending on where you live. Unsurprisingly, Toronto has the highest monthly fees in the country ($1,736/month for infants! $1,325 for toddlers! $1,033 for preschoolers!) while costs were lowest in Quebec, where child care fees are capped at $174 per month across all age categories. And the cost isn't going to dip any time soon, either. Since last year, child-care fees have increased by an average of five per cent. That's five times the rate of inflation.

Check out the top 10 most expensive cities below — and maybe think about sending grandma a babysitting request (and some flowers).

Infant fee (monthly)

Toronto, ON - $1,736 St. John's, NL - $1,400 Markham, ON - $1,324 Vaughan, ON - $1,302 Vancouver, BC - $1,225 Hamilton, ON - $1,239 Burnaby, BC - 1,210 London, ON - $1,180 Calgary, AB - $1,075 Windsor, ON - $977

Toddler fee (monthly)

Toronto, ON - $1,325 Ottawa, ON - $1,194 Vancouver, BC - $1,180 Markham, ON - $1,150 London, ON - $1,085 Vaughan, ON - $1,045 Hamilton, ON - $1,020 Burnaby, BC - $1,000 Brampton, ON - $966 Mississauga, ON - $966

Preschooler fee (monthly)

Toronto, ON - $1,033 Markham, ON - $1,000 Ottawa, ON - $987 Vaughan, ON - $981 Brampton, ON - $977 Mississauga, ON - $977 London, ON - $970 Vancouver, BC - $905 Calgary, AB - $910 St. John's, NL - $857

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Update