Nunavut signs child care agreement, leaving Ontario as the lone hold-out

Now is the time for Ontario to come to an agreement with the federal government on the Canada-wide child care system and then get to work on improving accessibility, affordability, inclusivity, and quality. No more excuses.

Ottawa (27 Jan. 2022) — This week, Nunavut became the 12th jurisdiction in Canada to sign onto the federal government’s $10-a-day child care plan.

The federal-territorial agreement will reduce fees, increase the number of spaces, and expand the child care workforce. It also includes commitments to work collaboratively with Inuit organizations and to ensure that all children have access to programs rooted in Inuit culture, language, and traditions.

System building project underway

The federal government announced its plan to build a Canada-wide system for early learning and child care in its 2021 budget, along with new funding to make it happen.

NUPGE and its Components, who have been long calling for a national public child care system, welcomed this announcement and have been pleased to see the provincial, territorial, and federal government reaching agreements.

We have also been clear that governments need to get this right. The funds must go towards expanding the public non-profit child care system, and not to for-profit providers, for example. It will also be key to address longstanding workforce issues, including improving wages and working conditions, as well as recruitment and retention.

Emphasis on recruitment and retention in Nunavut agreement

The Nunavut-Canada agreement has put an emphasis on facilitating the recruitment and retention of early childhood educators. This includes funds to increase wages and to support increased training and professional development, with incentives to gain professional credentials.

We know that having (and keeping) a professional workforce with good working conditions is core to high quality child care.

Ford government is lagging behind

This means that Ontario is the one remaining jurisdiction in the country to have not signed onto the federal government’s $10-a-day child care plan.

The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC), its supporters, and Ontarians have been vocal in calling on the Ford government to sign an agreement. They even developed a Roadmap to Universal Child Care in Ontario.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO/NUPGE), a Component of NUPGE, has been part of the calls for universal child care.

Now is the time

Right now, Ontario’s child care system is in crisis. There is an urgent need to improve health and safety protocols to keep children and staff safe, and to address the workforce crisis compounded by the pandemic.

The Ford government is failing families and workers with each passing day of inaction.