Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she plans to meet with the federal government to discuss issues with childcare funding. (Photo: Pattison Media)

By David Opinko

Premier Danielle Smith plans to meet with feds over childcare concerns

Jan 31, 2024 | 2:30 PM

Alberta Premier and Medicine Hat MLA Danielle Smith said Wednesday she is planning to take action after childcare operators voiced their concerns over the new funding arrangement.

On Tuesday, hundreds of people in Lethbridge took part in a rally and over one dozen childcare operators closed their centres for a single day to bring attention to the issues facing the sector.

Similar events were held in several other communities across Alberta.

Lethbridge rally organizer Austin Goldie said, due to significant delays in funding being issued and new administrative burdens, many childcare operators are planning to close their doors permanently or are at risk of doing so.

READ MORE: Hundreds in Lethbridge rally as childcare providers struggle to survive

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Smith said in a social media post on Tuesday that out-of-control spending by the federal government has increased inflation and impacted operating costs, putting childcare operators in an “extremely difficult situation.”

“The current cost control framework established by the federal government does not recognize the inflationary pressures child care operators are facing,” Smith said.

In 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he had signed a deal with the Government of Alberta to work towards implementing $10 per day childcare by 2026. Ottawa committed to providing $3.8 billion to the province as part of the arrangement.

While the federal government provides most of the money that is paid to childcare operators, the provincial government is in charge of managing the program.

Smith said her government is committed to ensuring that the childcare system remains both affordable and sustainable, adding that Ottawa must respond to the concerns of those working in the sector.

“I will be requesting a meeting with the federal government to discuss this further and to urge the federal government to consider changes to the framework that would support operators facing inflationary pressures,” said Smith. “Child care is the responsibility of the provincial government and if the federal government doesn’t meet us at the table we will ensure Albertans can continue to access an affordable and sustainable child care system our way.”

Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, however, said earlier this week that provinces knew what they signed up for when they agreed to the $10 per day childcare deal.

While Freeland stated that she remains committed to making childcare work, she did not suggest that the commitment included putting more money on the table.

Over the coming weeks, Smith said she plans to meet with childcare operators in Alberta to discuss potential solutions.