PM Justin Trudeau proposes $1B for child care in Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Surrey on Thursday, announcing a proposal that would see $1 billion invested into $10-a-day child care spaces across the country.

Trudeau shared that the 2024 Budget, slated to be tabled next month, will be proposing low-cost loans and grants directly to public and nonprofit child care providers.

“This funding will be through CMHC — a common-sense approach that will help child care be developed alongside housing, helping us build livable, accessible communities. We funded 100,000 spaces so far, and we’re going to keep going,” Trudeau said.

“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 child care can help them do better in school, and is a building block to success in life,” Trudeau said of the program.

“It supports young parents so that they can afford to give their kids their best shot and afford to keep building good careers at the same time that they want. And that can leave their family better off.”

Trudeau explained that it’s estimated for every dollar spent on child care, the economy receives $2.80 back.

He said an additional $60 million will be set aside for non-repayable grants for eligible child care centres to build new spaces or renovate. 

The Liberal government will also offer student loan forgiveness to rural and remote early childhood educators and another $10 million over two years to bolster their ranks with extra training. The prime minister explained $48 million over four years will “increase the longer an educator works in a rural or remote area, attracting and retaining the talent, similar to the programs we’re offering rural doctors and nurses.”

“Fairness is making sure we support each other and build a better future – that’s what affordable child care is all about,” Trudeau said.

The prime minister took time to address young Canadian mothers, acknowledging that they have “grown up with so many pressures in this economy — the 2008 recession, COVID, climate change.”

“You’re a huge part of the economy, and we want to make sure that everyone, especially moms raising kids, has the best chance to succeed and thrive. We all depend on Canada’s future success, and Canada’s success depends on the youngest generations doing well,” he said.

“As Canada grows, as families grow, we want to make sure more kids can access high-quality child care. Everyone deserves success. Whether you’re a six-month-old with a wonderful early childhood educator, or a parent who gets to go to a job they love, or a grandparent watching your family thrive — that’s what fairness for every generation is all about.”

The prime minister, flanked by B.C. Deputy Premier Mike Farnworth and MP Jenna Sudds, shared that another 930 $10-a-day spaces will come online in B.C. in March and April.

The announcement came as Trudeau spent time in Metro Vancouver this week, highlighting measures before tabling the 2024 Budget.

On Wednesday, he and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced new measures to protect renters’ rights and create new pathways to homeownership in Canada.

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