Canadians know that child care is not a luxury-it is a necessity. That is why the Government of Canada is working with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners to create a Canada-wide early learning and child care (ELCC) system that increases access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive ELCC programs and services.
Today in Ottawa, the Honourable Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, joined the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Ontario's Minister of Education, to announce the creation of just over 2,900 new affordable child care spaces in Ottawa.
As part of the Canada-Ontario Canada-wide ELCC Agreement, the Government of Canada is providing more than $10.2 billion toward early learning and child care in Ontario. Under this agreement, Ontario is on track to create 86,000 new spaces by the end of 2026, including up to 42,000 by the end of 2023. The agreement with Ontario is part of the larger Canada-wide plan to create 250,000 new child care spaces across the country. These new licensed spaces will be predominantly among not-for-profit, public and family-based child care providers.
Families in Ontario have also seen a reduction in fees of 50% on average for licensed child care, resulting in savings of up to $8,500 per child per year. The governments of Canada and Ontario are working together to ensure that Ontario families have access to licensed child care for an average of $10 a day by March 31, 2026.
These achievements are all part of the Government of Canada's commitment to bringing affordable, inclusive and high-quality care to families across the country and offering children the best possible start in life.
