The federal government and Saskatchewan have agreed to extend the province’s $10-a-day child-care program for an additional five years, starting in the 2026-27 fiscal year. The announcement took place at the YMCA in Regina, with Saskatchewan Education Minister Everett Hindley and Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, making the declaration.
The extension encompasses a five-year renewal of the Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, along with the bilateral agreement, commencing in 2026-27. The deal involves a federal commitment of $1.6 billion over multiple years, with a three-percent annual increase in base funding starting in 2027-28.
Under the extended agreement, children who turn six while attending kindergarten will now be eligible to continue receiving $10-a-day care until they complete the school year. This expansion was met with positivity by Cara Werner, director of Southeast Childcare Now, who expressed approval of including children over six in the program.
Additionally, the agreement includes a one-year extension of the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund until 2026-27. Minister Hindley mentioned that the new agreement would allow for-profit daycares to access the subsidized $10-a-day program, with provisions ensuring compliance with regulations.
Advocates have long been advocating for an equitable funding model and are hopeful that the deal will pave the way for a permanent wage grid for daycare workers. The province emphasized its commitment to nurturing a skilled early childhood education workforce, with significant investments made in wage enhancements, training, and professional development.
Notably, more than 23,000 new child-care spaces have been announced in Saskatchewan since 2021, aiming to alleviate the challenges faced by families in accessing child care. The initiative was well-received by stakeholders, including Regina YMCA CEO Steve Compton and Saskatoon daycare owner Gurmeet Dhinsa, who highlighted the relief the agreement brings to families and operators.
Shayla Dietrich, a Regina mother with children in subsidized daycare, expressed relief and gratitude towards the extension of the subsidized daycare agreement, emphasizing the positive impact it has on working parents. The move is expected to provide significant support to families and daycare operators in Saskatchewan.