Providing $10-a-day Childcare for Ontario Families
It's a big day for families in Ontario!
With today’s announcement of a multi-year childcare agreement with the province of Ontario, the federal government has secured a childcare agreement—and a plan to cut childcare costs in half—for every province and territory. Welcome aboard, Ontario!
As a mom of three, I know firsthand how affordable and accessible childcare can support working parents—and especially working moms. However, access to affordable and accessible childcare has not been a reality for many. For those that are fortunate to find childcare, it often comes at a high cost.
Ottawa families spend an average of $11,978 each year on childcare. This new childcare plan will cut costs in half, saving parents an average of $5,989 per year. This is real money and real savings for families at a time when many household costs are going up.
As a result of this multi-year childcare agreement, Kanata—Carleton parents will start seeing immediate savings in the coming weeks:
As of April 1, 2022, families with children five years old and younger in participating licensed childcare centres will see fees reduced up to 25 per cent to a minimum of $12 per day.
Parent rebates, retroactive to April 1, will begin in May. The rebate is in place for childcare operators that may need extra time to readjust their fees. Parents will receive the rebate automatically in such instances.
In December 2022, fees will be reduced further to about 50 per cent on average.
These reductions build on our long-term plan to bring the cost of childcare down to an average of $10 per day. Over the course of the next three years, fees will continue to be systematically and methodically reduced until we reach our $10 per day goal in September of 2025.
The reality is that many families who need childcare face an endless stream of waitlists. Access to childcare is a challenge in our Kanata—Carleton community, as well as across Ontario. To fix this, the federal government is funding 86,000 new childcare spaces by 2026. These spaces will help meet the demand today and into the future.
Our federal-provincial childcare agreement will also strengthen the recruitment and retention within the early learning and childcare provider workforce. Our country’s childcare systems are only as strong and resilient as the workforce that operates them. This agreement will support a wage grid and funding for higher wages for early learning and childcare providers.
Childcare advocates have been calling for this day for over 50 years. Today’s announcement—and the completion of a national childcare plan—will change the trajectory of the country for generations to come. It will empower our workforce, enabling parents to reach their fullest potential.
Thank you to the women, mothers, and parents who have been fighting to make childcare a reality in our country.
