Ottawa not on track to meet 2026 deadline for $10-a-day child care: report

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives recently published a report stating that Ottawa is expected to miss its 2026 deadline to implement $10-a-day child care services nationwide. The analysis revealed that only six provinces and territories are currently meeting the fee target.

David Macdonald, an economist with the center, expressed doubt that the federal government will meet its self-imposed deadline, despite significant fee reductions across the board. He emphasized that even after 2026, many parents in five provinces will likely still be paying more than $10 a day for child care.

The $10-a-day child care program, a flagship policy of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, aimed to make child care more affordable for Canadian families. However, the report found that only Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador have met or surpassed the government’s 2026 target.

On the other hand, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, British Columbia, and New Brunswick have yet to make plans to reduce fees to $10 a day. Cities in these provinces, such as Richmond, B.C., have some of the highest child care costs in the country, with parents paying median fees of $39 per day for infants.

In regions like Ontario, where fees were previously exorbitant, families are now saving around $1,300 per month in Toronto and $1,000 per month in the surrounding areas. This drop in fees is attributed to stricter regulations that have forced prices down.

While it is unlikely that Ontario and Alberta will meet the 2026 target, progress has been significant in these provinces. However, the report highlights the ongoing challenge of a lack of child care spaces, which has been exacerbated by the increased demand resulting from lower fees.

To address this issue, it is crucial to create more public and non-profit child care spaces nationwide and focus on attracting and retaining qualified early childhood educators. Martha Friendly of the Childcare Resource and Research Unit emphasized the importance of fair wages and good working conditions for child care workers to ensure the sustainability of the system.

In conclusion, while progress has been made in reducing child care fees in certain provinces, there is still work to be done to ensure affordable and accessible child care for all Canadian families. By prioritizing public and non-profit services, fair wages, and adequate working conditions for child care workers, the country can move closer to achieving the goal of affordable child care for all.