Every family in Canada deserves access to high-quality child care when they need it and at a price that won't break the bank. That's why the Government of Canada is working closely with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners to make this a reality. To date, over half of all provinces and territories are delivering regulated early learning and child care for an average of $10-a-day or less, and every other jurisdiction has reduced fees by at least 50%. For families across Canada, this means significant annual savings for regulated child care. On average, families could save up to $14,300 per child depending on where they live.
With Bill C-35, An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada, receiving Royal Assent on March 19, 2024, the federal vision is now established into law. The legislation enshrines the guiding principles for federal investments in a Canada-wide early learning and child care system where families have access to affordable, high-quality, flexible, and inclusive programs and services no matter where they live. This also includes this Government's commitment to maintaining long-term federal funding to our funding partners.
The Act marks an important milestone in the Government's commitment to working with provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners to build a Canada-wide system that will benefit children and families for generations to come. It supports the vision and principles of the federal/provincial/territorial Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework, as well as the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework that was co-developed and endorsed by Indigenous leadership and the Government of Canada. The Act respects provincial and territorial jurisdiction and Indigenous rights, including the right to self-determination.
In addition to establishing a long-term legislated commitment to federal funding for early learning and child care, the Act requires the federal government to report to Parliament on federal investments and progress being made on the Canada-wide system. It also enshrines in law the National Advisory Council on Early Learning and Child Care. The role of this 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.
