The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare how critical accessible, affordable, inclusive and high-quality child care is for our families, our children and our economy. Too often parents, particularly women, are having to make very difficult choices between their jobs and taking care of their families, choices that may have decades-long impacts on their careers.

“For Canadian families, child care is not a convenience; it is a necessity. Canadians need more accessible, affordable, inclusive and high-quality child care. That’s why the Government will make a significant, long-term, sustained investment to create a Canada-wide early learning and child care system.”

– Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Ahmed Hussen

• The Government of Canada has committed $7.5 billion over 11 years, starting in 2017-18, to support and create more high-quality, affordable child care across the country. This includes $1.2 billion over three years to provinces and territories through bilateral agreements for early learning and child care programs.

• Since 2017–18, federal investments have helped create close to 40,000 more affordable child care spaces nationally prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Canada is now working with each jurisdiction to invest an additional $400 million in 2020–21.

• The Government of Canada has announced in July an additional $625 million in 2020–21 to address the reduced availability of child care and the unique needs of the child care sector stemming from the pandemic across Canada. 

Associated links

• Speech from the Throne - A stronger and more resilient Canada
• Early Learning and Child Care Bilateral Agreements

For media enquiries, please contact:
Jessica Eritou
Press secretary
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Ahmed Hussen
jessica.eritou@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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