December 19, 2022 Toronto, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada
For too long, families have faced high monthly child care fees and too few high-quality child care options. That is why the Government of Canada is supporting the implementation of a Canada-wide early learning and child care system, giving children the best possible start and making life more affordable for families across Canada.
Today, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould, and Ontario's Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, announced that, effective December 31, 2022, fees for families with children under the age of 6 at licensed child care operators in Ontario that have enrolled in the Canada-wide early learning and child care system will be reduced by an average of 50% across the province, compared to 2020 levels.
The lower fee structure is supported by federal investments under Ontario's Canada-wide early learning and child care agreement. As a result, parent fees for licensed child care operators enrolled in the Canada-wide system will be brought down to an average of $23 per day, which could save Ontario families up to $6,000 per child per year. This is a significant milestone toward reaching an average of $10-a-day early learning and child care fees in the province by March 2026.
Additionally, under the Canada-wide agreement, Ontario is working towards creating 86,000 new licensed child care spaces by the end of 2026, which will include the spaces the province allocated today.
Building an 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 creating good jobs and growing the economy. All of Canada's provinces and territories have announced reductions in child care fees or were already providing child care services for $10-a-day or less upon joining the Canada-wide early learning and child care system.
