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By Chris Brown

No mention of $10 per day care

Province, feds extend child care agreement, providing $290M over four years

Jul 23, 2021 | 11:32 AM

Alberta and the federal government have struck a deal to extend the Canada–Alberta Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

Funding over the course of the four-year extension will be more than $290 million.

A news release from the province says “funding from the renewed agreement will be used to enhance subsidies and give even more working parents a hand up.”

There is no mention of $10 per day child care. The federal government has recently reached deals for such a program with B.C. and Nova Scotia, an idea Alberta has so far been cool to. Public Interest Alberta has launched a campaign to push for $10 per day child care.

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The agreement announced today does include a one-time investment of $56 million this year to support the recruitment and retention of an early childhood workforce.

“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,” says Ahmed Hussen, federal minister of families, children and social development. “Our government will continue to fight for families and children in Alberta, to ensure they have access to affordable, accessible, flexible and inclusive child care. Because every child deserves the best possible start in life.”

The release says new funding levels and amounts per child, based on income, will be announced shortly.