The Regina YMCA is clarifying its position on increasing daycare fees. This is after a letter sent to parents and stakeholders ended up in communications to media from Saskatchewan’s Official Opposition as well as in letters from the Sask. NDP to the federal government. “We are aware of the recent correspondence shared with the Government of Canada on behalf of the Official Opposition in Saskatchewan,” Regina YMCA CEO Steve Compton said in a statement Monday. “The YMCA was not consulted or informed of the letter to which we are referred, either in advance or after its release to the Government of Canada.” It comes after the Sask. NDP rose concerns about the YMCA’s recent announcement it was increasing daycare fees. In a statement released July 2, 2026 by the official opposition, the NDP called on Ottawa to investigate changes to the funding model related to the federal government’s $10/day daycare program with the province. The changes, which were implemented July 1, change the amount of funding available to daycare providers based on its available childcare spaces – not individual children it looks after. The NDP highlighted new YMCA fees, including a $75-per-month fundraising fee, a $15-per-month administration fee and an annual $125 enrolment fee. They are set to come into effect September 1, 2026. “We were referred to directly in a couple of paragraphs of that [letter],” Compton told CTV News Monday. “Although it wasn’t an attempt to co-author, we were called out directly based on our most recent fees.” “With our particular financial position, not speaking for other operators, it was something we needed to do,” he added. Compton confirmed the fees are being implemented to assist with rising costs. NDP early learning and childcare critic Joan Pratchler addressed the YMCA’s statement during a news conference Monday. “We got copies of those letters from Facebook, social media and families have been sending those to us all along,” she told reporters. “We’re reporting what’s already been public.” “The fees are going to go up and that’s hard for people to be able to manage; I mean, we’re in for an affordability crisis and that’s what [the YMCA] has to do in order to make ends meet and provide childcare the best they can. Here we are.” The NDP want the federal government to examine whether the changes to part-time funding models and casual childcare spaces is consistent with the accessibility commitments contained in the agreement. Pratchler reiterated the NDP used publicly available information in its communication strategy. “We referred to it, I’d have to check the letter again; I’ve [sent] quite a few,” she said. “This is what’s happening in Saskatchewan; is that what the federal government intended and wanted rolled out? I don’t have answers to that, maybe somebody else will.” “It was on social media and that’s the information we have. That information is public,” Pratchler added. Compton said he understood the reason behind his letter’s use; however, it was not the intention behind its sending. “We know this is a government-funded program, both nationally and provincially; it wasn’t a political announcement on our end,” he said. The YMCA says it has received some concerns from parents and recognized the worry behind the rising costs. “When we set these fees, we wanted to not be doing this regularly,” Compton said. “In a sense, we wanted to come out with what was permitted in the scope of the fees allowed and just do it once so parents can reset their expectation.” While the letter itself was not meant to be political in this case, the YMCA says it continues to advocate for parents to the Ministry of Education. Through conversations, it is taking concerns, individual child care experiences and challenges to the province as the daycare program evolves into the future.
