Feds wrap up child-care negotiations: a jurisdictional break down of the signed deals

The federal government has wrapped up its child-care negotiations with its provincial and territorial counterparts, with Ontario being the last jurisdiction to sign on to the agreement.

On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, flanked by federal and provincial leaders as well as child-care advocates, called it a “historic moment.”

“This means that all Canadian families from coast to coast to coast will benefit from quality, early learning, accessible, affordable, child care,” the prime minister said.

It’s been nearly a year since the Liberal government made its budget pledge to nationalize child care and bring down costs to $10 a day by 2026. The $30 billion commitment over five years is not only aimed at lowering fees, but also increasing the number of affordable spaces.

Budget 2021 stipulates that a minimum of $9.2 billion per year will be invested in child care following the expiry of the five-year agreement.

CTVNews.ca assembled an overview of each agreement.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

On July 8, 2021 the B.C. government became the first province to sign the dotted line with Ottawa.

The $3.2 billion federal investment will add 30,000 regulated care spaces by the end of 2026 and 40,000 by the end of 2028. The new spaces will contribute to public and non-profit institutions.

The B.C. government has also pledged to use the federal funds to develop a wage grid for early childhood educators (ECEs).

Parents can expect to see a 50 per cent reduction in regulated care fees for children under the age of six by the end of 2022.

NOVA SCOTIA

Nova Scotia’s agreement was announced days later on July 13, 2021.

The $605 million federal investment will help generate 1,500 regulated spaces by the end of March and 9,500 by the end of fiscal year 2025-2026. The funds will also go towards improving before and after care options for three to five year olds.

The Nova Scotian government has committed to higher wages and benefits for ECEs.

Parents can expect to see a 25 per cent reduction in regulated care fees for children under the age of six by April 1 and a 50 per cent reduction by the end of 2022.

YUKON

Yukon was the first territory to sign a deal with Ottawa on July 23, 2021.

The $41.6 million federal investment will go towards creating 110 regulated care spaces over five years.

The Yukon government said the investment will also go towards its ongoing implementation of a wage grid for ECEs, and a preliminary salary boost.

Parents can expect to see a 50 per cent reduction in regulated care fees for children under the age of six by the end of 2022.

P.E.I.

The island province was the third to sign a deal with Ottawa on July 27, 2021.

The $121.3 million federal investment is set to help create 452 regulated spaces within two years. A one-time investment of approximately $3.6 million will be dished out in 2022 to support the early childhood workforce.

P.E.I. parents can expect to see a 50 per cent reduction in regulated care fees for children under the age of six by the end of 2022. The province is on track to meet the $10 a day target by the end of 2024.

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Newfoundland and Labrador signed a deal with Ottawa a day later, on July 28, 2021.

The $347 million federal investment is expected to create 5,895 new regulated care spaces within five years. The funding will also be directed at improving infant, toddler, and preschool spaces. The province is aiming to buildout a new full day pre-kindergarten program for four-year-old children in 2023. The goal is to make sure every child has access to this program by the end of March 2026.

Newfoundland and Labrador parents will see a 40 per cent reduction in regulated care fees for children under the age of six by the end of 2022. The province is on track to meet the $10 a day target by the end of 2023.

QUEBEC

Quebec signed an agreement with the federal government on Aug. 5, 2021 that allows the province to opt out the national program and its conditions but still receive a chunk of money to enhance its already low-cost system.

The Quebec government says the $6-billion transfer will allow Quebec to create approximately 37,00 new spaces.

The province already spends nearly $3 billion a year on its child-care system, which costs parents an average of $8.50 a day.

MANITOBA

Manitoba reached a deal with the federal government on Aug. 9, 2021.

The $1.2 billion federal investment will help create 23,000 regulated care spaces by the end of March 2026. The new spaces will contribute to not-for-profit, public, and family-based child care operations.

The province will also use the funding to establish a ECE wage grid.

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Manitoba parents can expect a 50 per cent reduction in regulated parent feeds for children under six years of age by the end of 2022. The province is on track to meet the $10 a day target by the end of 2023.

SASKATCHEWAN

Saskatchewan signed its agreement with Ottawa on Aug. 13, 2021.

The $1.1 billion federal investment will help create 28,000 regulated care spaces by the end of March 2026. The new spots will contribute exclusively to not-for-profit and public child care operations, as well as, family-based care.

Parents can expect to see a 50 per cent reduction in regulated care fees for children under the age of six by the end of 2022.

ALBERTA

Alberta signed the dotted line with federal government on Nov. 15, 2021.

The $3.8 billion federal investment will help with the creation of 42,500 new regulated spaces by the end of March 2026. The new spaces will contribute to not-for-profit institutions.

The Alberta government says it will place an emphasis on growing the province’s base of ECEs and will ensure the system is inclusive of children with disabilities.

The plan aims to reduce regulated care fees for parents of children under the age of six by half by the end of 2022.

NEW BRUNSWICK

New Brunswick reached their deal with the federal government on Dec. 13, 2021.

The $491 million federal investment will go towards creating 3,400 new regulated spaces over the course of the agreement.

The province said wages of ECEs will also increase by nearly 25 per cent over five years and steps will be taken to develop more flexible and inclusive care.

Parents can expect to see their regulated care fees for children under the age of six slashed by 50 per cent by the end of 2022.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

The Northwest Territories became the second territory to formalize an agreement with Ottawa on Dec. 15, 2021.

The $51 million federal investment will go towards creating 300 new regulated spaces by the end of March 2026. All spaces will contribute exclusively to not-for-profit and family-based child care providers.

With this funding, the province has also committed to invest in a retention incentive and a wage grid for ECEs.

Families can expect to see a 50 per cent reduction in regulated care fees for children under the age of six by the end of 2022.

NUNAVUT

Nunavut signed the dotted line with Ottawa on Jan. 24.

The $66 million federal investment will go towards creating 238 regulated spaces by the end of March 2026. The new spaces will focus in on not-for-profit and family-based child care providers.

A wage grid and an up to 25 per cent wage increase for ECE workers is also included in the plan.

Families can expect to see a 50 per cent reduction of regulated care fees for children under the age of six by the end of 2022. The territory is on track to produce $10 a day child care by March 2024.

ONTARIO

Last out of the gate is Ontario, which signed its deal on March 28.

The $10.2 billion federal investment over five years will help with the creation of 86,000 regulated spaces.

Regulated fees for children under the age of six are slated to be slashed by 25 per cent as of April 1 and 50 per cent by the end of 2022.

The federal government also committed, in writing, to dish out $2.9 billion to Ontario for year six, as part of Budget 2021’s long-term child-care funding pledge.