The Canadian Press
OTTAWA–The federal government re-ignited child-care talks with the provinces days before the release of a budget that will make a significant financial commitment to daycare nationwide.
The precise details of the talks are unknown, but they come after what sources describe as months of little deliberations between the two sides as they try to work out details that will underpin a national program–and the unique needs of each province and territory.
Heather Irwin, a spokeswoman for the Ontario education ministry, said in an e-mail yesterday the most recent teleconference between officials regarding the national early-learning and child-care multilateral framework took place last week.
She also noted the federal government has not yet told provinces and territories how much money they will be getting.
Child-care advocates have been told to expect a long-term funding commitment in next week’s budget from the Liberals’ social infrastructure fund, which has almost $22 billion to dole out over the next decade.
The exact spending figure will be released on March 22, but advocates expect the government to continue spending roughly $500 million a year for the foreseeable future.
The minister overseeing the file says the Liberals have heard concerns from provinces and territories that one-off federal funding won’t be enough for them–what they need is a long-term financial commitment.
