A number of members of the Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO) and the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC) have expressed concern about a recent letter from the Minister of Education Paul Calandra to parents which operators have been asked to distribute. The letter, sent on April 22 2025, says that the parent fee reductions financed through the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program could be reversed after March 31, 2026 (and continue to rise thereafter) and ascribes this to inadequate federal funding.
While we are pleased to read that “Ontario has informed the federal government that [they] would like to see an extension of the program”, the letter is raising the anxiety of families and child care operators about the future of the $10aDay child care program. Alarming families with the prospect of child care fee increases is harmful in these times of economic uncertainty, especially given negotiations between the provincial and federal government are not possible due to the federal election. Further, to hold the federal government solely responsible for shortfalls in funding is disingenuous. The truth is, the success of the $10aDay child care program requires both levels of government to invest in system-building initiatives.
On March 6th it was announced that Ontario had reached an agreement-in-principle with the federal government to extend the $10aDay agreement to 2031, which includes a $16.77 billion federal investment starting in 2026-2027. The child care community is still waiting for Ontario to formally sign on to the agreement extension. Further, as of 2024, provincial allocations to child care remained lower than they were in 2019 and have not grown to meet demand and increased costs. To provide stability and reassurance to families, educators and operators, the Ontario government should focus on securing the federal funds that have been offered and finding ways to increase its own funding allocations for licensed child care, including for better workforce compensation and other retention and recruitment strategies.
The success of the $10aDay plan requires all levels of government to come to the table and work together. We will continue to advocate to all levels of government for ongoing and strengthened investments that advance the important work of ELCC system-building. At this moment, let’s tell the Minister of Education and our provincial representatives at Queen’s Park that we expect more of them.
What can you do?
- If operators, educators or families have questions about the memo, they can email Minister Calandra at paul.calandra@pc.ola.org
- If folks want to get involved in advocacy for the $10aDay system they can take action now to share their support with MPPs and federal candidates and take Child Care Now’s Pledge to Stand on Guard for Child Care
- Families are invited to join Parents for Child Care to stay connected and informed about the $10aDay system.
- Share this federal party platform child care commitments chart with your parent board and families.