Ottawa giving $290M to Alberta for childcare programs
Posted Jul 23, 2021 11:16 am.
Last Updated Jul 23, 2021 8:46 pm.
EDMONTON – Over the next four years, Alberta will collect $290 million from the federal government to help make child care more affordable in the province.
Edmonton and Ottawa announced the renewed agreement Friday.
The money will be used to enhance subsidies and give even more working parents access to affordable, flexible, and inclusive early learning and child care programs and services.
“Child care is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. High-quality early learning experiences are essential to the intellectual, emotional, and physical development of our children,” said federal Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development Ahmed Hussen in a release.
This year and next year, the province will be using $56 million for recruiting and retaining the early childhood workforce.
“Child care matters and is vital to our economic recovery. Albertans expect high-quality, inclusive, affordable, and accessible child care,” added Alberta’s Minister of Children’s Services, Rebecca Schulz.
“We’re investing in a child care strategy that meets the diverse needs of Alberta parents, especially working moms, while supporting high-quality programs in attracting and retaining quality Early Childhood Educators.”
The UCP says more specific details about the funding, like amounts per child based on income, will be announced soon.
