Table of Contents:
Provincial/Territorial Comparisons
Stakeholders and Advocacy Groups
The Canada-wide Child Care Plan was introduced in 2021 through the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement and runs parallel to the Multilateral Framework Agreement on Early Learning and Child Care from 2016. The Canada-wide Child Care Plan builds on the goals of the 2016 agreement by introducing additional funding and more ambitious targets. The plan is encapsulated under Bill C-35 and, like the 2016 agreement, aims to make childcare more affordable, inclusive, accessible, and of higher quality. The plan seeks to harmonise and improve childcare standards and cost between all the provinces and territories.
Policy Expectations
Through improving childcare in Canada the federal government expects to…
Goals of the Policy
Video: How we are implementing a Canada-wide early learning and child care system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hnlJPQA0PE
At the time of the national childcare plans inception, public discourse was not entirely positive. Several province delayed signing an agreement with the federal government due to various concerns.
Despite some initial pushback, Canada-wide childcare agreements have been reached with all provinces and territories, including an asymmetrical agreement with Quebec, which allows the province to maintain its distinct system while receiving federal funding to enhance it. As a result, all provinces and territories now receive transfer payments from the federal government to implement the federal childcare plan. While provinces and territories retain authority over their childcare systems, signing the Canada-wide Act means they must follow the agreement’s guiding principles and report on their progress to continue receiving federal funding
Guiding Principles for Provinces:
Under the Canada-wide Child Care Plan, all regulated and licensed forms of childcare are eligible for subsidies, including both not-for-profit and for-profit spaces, as well as at-home daycare centres. Unregulated childcare providers are not eligible for funding or fee reduction programs under the plan.
Provinces and territories make the final funding decisions, but due to the policy's focus on accessibility and affordability, non-profit providers generally receive more financial support.
In response to the childcare challenges women faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, partnered with the NDP to create the Canada-wide Child Care Plan. This publicly funded childcare system aims to support children’s development, reduce financial strain on families, create jobs, and enable parents—especially mothers—to stay in the workforce. The Liberal government continues to strongly support this program and its ongoing development.
The Conservative party does not support the Canada-wide Child Care Plan with former conservative party leader Erin O’Toole campaigning in 2021 to scrap the agreement, instead favouring a tax credit to support low-income families. Moreover, current party leader Pierre Poilievre has not endorsed the current national childcare plan and has raised questions many about the programs' effectiveness.
The Green Party of Canada supports the Canada-wide Child Care Plan, emphasising the importance of regulated, high-quality, and non-profit childcare. However, the party advocates for minimising the need for daycare for children under three by expanding parental leave and community-based supports.
In 2021, the NDP backed the Liberals to create the Canada-wide Child Care Plan. The party stresses the importance of public and not-for-profit childcare to provide affordable, high-quality, flexible and inclusive childcare services. Currently, the NDP remains an advocate for the rectification of the childcare spot shortage by supporting better pay and working conditions for childcare workers.