Manitoba early childhood educators (ECEs) are seeing an increase in their pay thanks to a new wage grid, according to the province. The province, along with the federal government, said the new pay grid for workers, which has been in effect since April 1, means workers are seeing an increase of pay of up to $7 more per hour, retroactive to April 2024. “For too long, (early childhood educators) have done that great work, and that work has not been compensated fairly, and so it’s something that our government is so proud to do in partnership with the Government of Canada,” said Tracy Schmidt, Manitoba’s minister of education and early childhood learning. The pay is based on a workers’ certification and the size of the facility, and applies to early childhood educators, child-care assistants and home-based providers working in licenced and funded child-care facilities and homes. “This year’s wage grid increase has strengthened all positions equitably, which is essential for not only attracting new (workers) to the sector, but also retaining the workforce,” said Jodie Kehl, executive director of the Manitoba Child Care Association. The province added Monday that base operating grants for all licenced child-care facilities in Manitoba will see a $4.7 million increase, and more than $14 million is being spent to extend and sustain early learning and child-care training programs at multiple schools in the province, including RRC Polytech, Université de Saint-Boniface, Assiniboine College and University College of the North. In this year’s budget, Manitoba has pledged to add 2,300 new childcare spaces in the province.
