Provinces Were Aware of Terms When They Agreed to $10-per-Day Child Care Plan, Says Liberal Minister

Families Minister Jenna Sudds emphasizes that provinces and territories were fully aware when they signed the $10-a-day child care agreements with the federal government, and Ottawa is now expecting them to ensure the success of the program.

These remarks from the minister come as some child-care operators in Ontario and Alberta are cautioning that they might have to withdraw from the program or even close down altogether if they do not receive additional operating funds.

The federal Liberals have allocated $30 billion over five years to gradually implement the child-care program, with a goal of creating thousands of spaces with a $10-a-day fee by 2026.

Every province and territory signed an agreement with Ottawa to operate the program in exchange for federal financial assistance to cover the costs.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland acknowledges that this is a substantial amount of money and stresses that Ottawa is committed to making child care work.

However, Ms. Freeland did not indicate that this commitment involves offering even more money.

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