Federal Government Extends Saskatchewan Child-Care Agreement for Five Years

The federal government has renewed its agreement with Saskatchewan to enhance affordable early learning and child care. This extension, announced on Friday, ensures that the Canada-Saskatchewan Early Learning and Child Care Agreement will continue for an additional five years, commencing in the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Details of the Extended Agreements

According to Saskatchewan’s Education Minister Everett Hindley, the renewal also includes the extension of the Canada-Saskatchewan Bilateral Early Learning and Child Care Agreement and the Infrastructure Fund for one more year. The total federal investment in these agreements amounts to $1.6 billion.

A significant change in the agreements is the expanded age eligibility requirement, allowing children who turn six while in kindergarten to continue receiving $10-a-day child care until the end of the school year. This provision is aimed at easing the financial burden on families and ensuring continuity in child care during a critical developmental period.

Impact on Families and Workforce

Secretary of State for Rural Development, Buckley Belanger, emphasized the importance of accessible child care for working parents. He stated, “It’s never been more important for parents to be able to work, study, and start a business, but for too many families, access to child care has been a major barrier.” He highlighted the challenges parents face when child care fees resemble a second rent or mortgage, forcing difficult decisions about work and family obligations.

The new agreements are designed to significantly reduce child care costs, potentially saving families thousands of dollars. This not only helps keep parents in the workforce but also provides them with the flexibility to balance their professional and personal lives more effectively.

Minister Hindley remarked on the positive reception from Saskatchewan residents regarding the necessity of such support. He described the agreement as a “monumental day for Saskatchewan families and the entire child care sector.” Hindley noted that the funding represents a renewal of the government’s commitment to families in the province, stating, “In Saskatchewan, we’re working for them, we hear them, and we’re putting them first.”

The renewed agreements signify a collaborative effort between the federal and provincial governments to address child care accessibility, aiming to create a supportive environment for families in Saskatchewan.