For too long, families have faced high monthly child care fees, long waitlists and a lack of child care options. Now, more than ever, increased access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive child care is crucial to meet the needs of children and make life more affordable for families across Canada.
Today, Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, along with Pamela Gross, Nunavut's Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, announced that Nunavut will be the first jurisdiction to achieve $10-a-day for licensed child care centres under a Canada-wide early learning and child care system. Nunavut joins the Yukon and Quebec in providing families with regulated child care for $10-a-day or less.
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.
In January 2022, the Agreement between the Government of Nunavut and the Government of Canada was signed to secure $66.1 million over 5 years to support child care in Nunavut. Since that time, the Government of Nunavut has been working with its Inuit organization partners to achieve the goals and commitments outlined in the Agreement.
Five years ago, the Government of Canada articulated its long-term vision to ensure children in Canada would get the best possible start in life through greater access to high-quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive child care. In Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced its ambitious plan for an average $10-a-day early learning and child care system. The Government of Canada has now signed and begun implementing agreements with all provinces and territories to build a Canada-wide early learning and child care system, with a goal to bring fees for licensed child care across the country down to $10-a-day on average by March 2026.
Building a Canada-wide early learning and child care system that works for all families in every region of the country is a key part of the Government of Canada's plan to make life more affordable for families, while also creating good jobs and growing the economy.
