Federal government announces new measures to help childcare providers

Yesterday I was down the road in Vancouver to launch our 2024 budget. It was a great announcement about how we’re going to make the economy fairer, fairer for every generation. We talked about key housing measures, supporting renters, because we know that having a place you can afford is a foundation of our economy. But another part of that foundation of a fair economy, a part that Canadians have always taken great pride in, is a strong social safety net. That promise. That we will take care of each other, that we invest in each other. We make sure that everyone gets a fair shot. It’s about how no matter your income, your health, where you live or what you earn, you have support. For the essential facts of life, and no matter your age, that’s what our Canada wide $10 a day childcare plan is all about. It’s support that starts at the youngest age. It’s giving every kid the best start in life because we know that access to high quality childcare can help them do better in school and is a building block to success in life. It supports young parents so that they can afford to give their kids the best shot. And afford to keep building good careers at the same time. That they want and that can leave their family better off. It supports everyone in the economy. It’s estimated that for every dollar invested in childcare, the economy gets $2.80 in return. The federal government continues to make sure affordable childcare is delivering for families. So are a lot of provincial partners because families are counting on us. And in this year’s upcoming budget we’re going to make investments to expand. And grow the program. We’ll do this by providing over a billion dollars in low cost loans and grants directly to public and non profit childcare providers. We funded 100,000 spaces so far and we’re going to keep going. We’re also going to be supporting the amazing early childhood educators who care for our youngest Canadians by increasing training opportunities for them and by increasing student loan forgiveness for those who choose to work in rural and remote communities.