Toronto, ON – Today the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario signed a deal for $13.2 billion over 6 years under the National Child Care Plan. The agreement will lower fees for families to an average of $10 a day child care by September 2025 for children five years old and younger.
This is great news for families across Ontario. WoodGreen Community Services applauds both levels of government for their collaborative efforts to work out a deal that will improve child care for Ontario families. For WoodGreen clients to gain economic independence, they require multifaceted supports such as available and affordable childcare, accessible and affordable housing, education and employment opportunities. This agreement is a step forward in helping address economic and social barriers for vulnerable Ontarians while supporting women to return to the workforce, thereby contributing to post-COVID economic recovery.
The reduction of child care fees will move through a four-step approach. As a first step, all Ontario families with children five years old and younger participating in licensed child care centres will see up to 25 per cent reduction in fees, retroactive to April 1, 2022. The agreement will cut child care fees by 50% by 2023 and move toward the $10/day target for children five years old and younger by September 2025.
The agreement will focus on the expansion of spaces only in the licensed sector, giving priority to non-profit operators. By addressing the key issues of accessibility and affordability, the agreement will make child care a reality for families across Canada.
As one of the largest social service agencies in Toronto, WoodGreen Community Services looks forward to continuing to work with our partners in the sector to maximize the benefits and impacts of this historic agreement.
ABOUT WOODGREEN COMMUNITY SERVICES (woodgreen.org): WoodGreen is one of the largest social service agencies in Toronto, serving 37,000 people each year. We offer over 75 programs and services tackling the social determinants that affect the health and well-being of individuals in our community.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Jen Mayville, Marketing & Communications Manager; [email protected]; (437) 226-8091 (cell)