°ϸ̳

Policy Monitor

The Policy Monitor tracks Federal, Provincial and Territorial early childhood policy initiatives, developments and announcements.

Search

Ontario
Excerpt: "To date, 92 per cent of Ontario’s licensed child care sites have enrolled in the CWELCC system. Families across the province with children in these centres are already seeing fee reductions of up to 25 per cent, retroactive to April 1, 2022. By the end of this year, families with children under the age of six in participating licensed child care programs will see a further fee reduction of up to 50 per cent relative to 2020 levels."

Canada
Excerpt: "In addition to establishing a permanent, legislated commitment to federal funding for early learning and child care, Bill C-35, if passed, would require the federal government to report to the public on federal investments and progress being made on the Canada-wide system. It would also enshrine in law the National Advisory Council on Early Learning and Child Care. The role of this recently announced council is to provide third-party expert advice to the Government of Canada and serve as a forum for engagement on issues and challenges facing the early learning and child care sector."

Ontario
Excerpt: "Total investments from the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada in the child care and early years program will total more than $3.9B in 2023. Funding will support the implementation of fee reductions, workforce supports, and other measures. This investment represents an increase of $1.28B, or 44%, over the 2022 calendar year. This investment also includes an additional $24M from the renewed Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care Agreement to support child care and early years program delivery. A one-time transitional grant of $85.5M is also included to help offset and assist with the impact of administrative funding changes and provide stability to the sector as the ministry continues its work on the development of the new child care funding formula."

British Columbia
Excerpt: "“As of yesterday, we cut child care fees in half on average across British Columbia – saving families up to an additional $550 a month per child,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “Our plan to make life more affordable is delivering concrete results for parents who are struggling with the rising cost of living and ensuring every child can get the best possible start in life. We’re going to continue to be there for people as we work toward delivering $10-a-day child care across the country and build an economy that works for all Canadians.” Increased reductions in child care fees of up to $550 more per child per month took effect on Dec. 1, 2022, and are helping approximately 69,000 families with the cost of child care. This is in addition to the savings of up to $350 per month per child that were introduced in 2018 and which participating child care providers were already passing on to families."

Alberta
Excerpt: "All employed ECEs with claimed hours in October and November 2022 who worked an average 30 hours-plus per week and continue to work in December will also be eligible to receive a one-time payment of $900. Those averaging fewer than 30 hours per week will be eligible for a $450 payment. The one-time payment and wage top-up represents an investment of over $174 million in federal and provincial funding through to the end of the fiscal year 2025-26."

Alberta
Excerpt: "Under this legislation, households earning under $180,000 will be provided with a tax-free payment of $600 over six months starting this January for each senior, to parents for each dependent child under 18, and to each vulnerable Albertan collecting AISH, PDD and Income Support."

British Columbia
Excerpt: "With new cuts to child care fees coming into effect in December 2022, an online tool is available to help families estimate the amount of savings they will see on their bill...Starting Dec. 1, 2022, parents in British Columbia will save as much as $550 more per month for each child they have in participating licensed child care facilities. This funding will lower fees for children kindergarten age and younger by up to $900 per month."

Nova Scotia
Excerpt: "A $76-million contribution through the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement will reduce child-care fees for Nova Scotians, effective December 31. Most families will see a decrease in fees, which follows a previous reduction in the spring. The result will be fees that are 50 per cent lower on average than in 2019 for infants, toddlers and preschoolers."

Canada
Excerpt: "Now, more than ever, increased access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care is crucial to meet the needs of children and families across Canada. That is why the Government of Canada is making a historic investment of $30 billion over five years to build a Canada-wide early learning and child care system in collaboration with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners. In support of this commitment, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould, announced today the members of a newly created National Advisory Council on Early Learning and Child Care. The Council brings together a committed and diverse group of 16 members, including academics and advocates, practitioners and caregivers. The chairperson, Don Giesbrecht, has previously served as both President of the Board of Directors and CEO of the Canadian Child Care Federation."

Canada
Excerpt: "The Canada Dental Benefit will provide eligible parents or guardians with up to $650 tax-free per year for two years to cover dental expenses for children under 12. This benefit, which will support an estimated 500,000 children, is available to families without access to private dental insurance and with an adjusted family net income under $90,000. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will begin receiving applications and processing payments for the benefit starting December 1, 2022."

Nunavut
Excerpt: "As a result of today’s announcement, families in Nunavut with preschool-aged children at licensed child care centres and licensed home day cares will be able to access child care for $10-a-day as of December 1, 2022. This milestone was achieved a full 15 months ahead of Nunavut’s Action Plan schedule, and more than three years ahead of the March 2026 federal goal for Canada-wide implementation. With $10-a-day child care, families in the territory could save up to $55 per day for each child in care, when compared to current rates. This will provide tangible benefits to families in the territory experiencing a rise in the cost of living."

Saskatchewan
Excerpt: "The Governments of Saskatchewan and Canada are investing $28.9 million to develop up to 2,197 new child care spaces in regulated child care centres across the province. "Today our government is pleased to announce a significant expansion in regulated child care, which is so important to Saskatchewan families," Minister of Education Dustin Duncan said. "In our growing province, we are providing funding for nearly 2,200 more children to attend regulated child care, which provides high quality early learning, play and exploration environments for our youngest learners." Of the 2,197 newly funded spaces, 1,599 spaces have been allocated to specific organizations who will either build new facilities or add new spaces within their existing facilities. The remaining 598 funded spaces will be allocated to organizations later this year through an application process."