Ontario secures one-year extension to $10-a-day child-care program

The deal, reached with the federal government, guarantees child-care fees will remain at an average of $19 per day through 2025.

Ontario parents can breathe a sigh of relief after the province secured a one-year extension to the national $10-a-day child-care program.

The deal, reached with the federal government, guarantees child-care fees will remain at an average of $19 per day through 2025 — a key step in maintaining affordability for families while longer-term negotiations continue.

The agreement comes with $695 million in new federal funding, ensuring stability for parents and operators, though it’s not yet enough to reach the promised $10-a-day average.

Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra called the extension “an acknowledgment that additional funding is needed every year just to maintain current rates.”

Talks between Ottawa and Queen’s Park had intensified in recent weeks after uncertainty about whether funding would expire March 31.

Federal Families Minister Patty Hajdu said both levels of government remain committed to protecting affordable child care and are optimistic about securing a longer-term deal.

Ontario will now turn its focus to expanding available spaces and addressing staffing shortages in the child-care sector.

The province continues to push for flexibility around the inclusion of for-profit providers — a sticking point that has limited space creation in some parts of Ontario.

While Ontario has created roughly three-quarters of its interim target for new spaces, a shortage of early childhood educators remains a key challenge.

Both governments say improving pay and working conditions for ECEs will be critical to stabilizing the system and achieving long-term affordability.

Story by Matt Leblanc