Exceprts
Child care funding in Alberta is unsustainable without more money and flexibility from the federal government, according to Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Trade Matt Jones.
In a letter to Jenna Sudds, the federal minister of Families, Children, and Social Development dated Feb. 10, Jones said without increased funding and flexibility, “Alberta will be unable to proceed with a renewal”
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Under the current agreement, Alberta received $1.1 billion from the federal government in 2024/25. According to the letter, Canada has proposed a three per cent increase beginning in 2027/28, which would amount to an additional $354.6 million over five years.
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Also at issue in the negotiation for the next early learning and child care agreement are the limits on what types of spaces can be created. Under the current agreement, Alberta is required to create up to 68,700 spaces, but is capped at a maximum of 14,500 family day home spaces and 26,200 private day care spaces, which Jones said is counter to the objective of affordable and accessible child care.
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