Justin Trudeau in Mississauga for a daycare funding announcement
Published June 28, 2023 at 12:55 pm
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Mississauga today for a daycare funding announcement.
Nearly half of provinces and territories, including Ontario, offer $10-a-day childcare, Trudeau said. In all other provinces and territories, fees have been cut by at least half, he said.
Today (June 28) in Mississauga, Trudeau announced the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund to help public and not-for-profit childcare providers deliver affordable child care.
The $625 million fund will support the cost of new buildings — including planning, design, construction, and renovation of non-profit childcare spaces — to create more daycare spaces in provinces and territories in need.
“We know that for many parents, finding childcare spaces can be stressful, and often results in long waitlists. That is why space creation is a key pillar of our child care plan,” said Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
The fund will support child care spaces for underserved communities, including in rural and remote regions, high-cost and low-income urban neighbourhoods, and communities that face barriers to access, such as racialized groups, Indigenous Peoples, official language minority communities, newcomers, as well as parents, caregivers, and children with disabilities.
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“Affordable child care is common sense. It’s good for parents and their kids, and it’s good for our economy,” said Trudeau.
When asked about staffing shortages, Trudeau said he hoped the provinces would step up and do their part in ensuring proper support and a pay grid for early childhood educators and encourage people to join the workforce.
Trudeau took a jab at Pierre Poilievre during the announcement saying the Conservative leader’s only idea is to cut supports and programs.
“He wants to tear things down but we are focused on building things up,” Trudeau said.
The exact location of Trudeau’s visit in Mississauga wasn’t announced.
To watch the full announcement, see the video on CPAC here.
INsauga's Editorial Standards and PoliciesLive from Mississauga: We’re giving an update on our government’s commitment to helping families across the country access affordable, flexible, and high-quality child care. Tune in here for more on the next step we’re taking: https://t.co/QDZ5OjZfk0
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 28, 2023