News Release – Brampton, Ontario

For too many families, the lack of affordable, high-quality child care means difficult choices and financial sacrifices. COVID-19 has been especially hard for parents and has shown us that accessible, inclusive, and high-quality child care is essential.

That is why today in Brampton South, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, announced an agreement that will significantly improve early learning and child care for children in the province. This Canada-Ontario early learning and child care agreement is a five-year deal to reduce child care fees in the short term, deliver $10-a-day child care for Ontario families, and create 86,000 new licensed early learning and child care spaces in the province. As part of the agreement, the Government of Canada will invest $13.2 billion over the next five years to cut child-care fees in the province in half by the end of the year.

Canadians are in agreement. Economists are in agreement. Women are in agreement. We need more childcare options, and we need them to be flexible, affordable, and inclusive.

Back in November, MP Sidhu presented a motion at Brampton City Council that passed unanimously in support of this deal, and it has been endorsed by the Brampton Board of Trade. Child care is provincial jurisdiction and MP Sidhu is beyond pleased that the province has finally signed on. 

The deal will also see Ontario create 86,000 child-care spaces and Brampton families are projected to see an immediate drop in fees by 25% and a further reduction in December with even more down the road. Every child deserves the best possible start in life and this agreement will provide just that.

It is a deal that will help build a child care system that is inclusive, welcomes all children, and gives them an equal chance to succeed and flourish. It is an investment in the economic security of families that will support and create more high-quality, affordable child care across the country.

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QUOTES:

“With the signing of today’s agreement, we’re making $10-a-day child care a reality for families across the country. Today’s announcement will save Ontario families thousands of dollars each year – with fee reductions starting as of Friday this week – while creating jobs, growing the middle class, and giving our kids the best start in life” —The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

“I’m so proud of the work we’ve done with our federal partners to land an agreement that will lower costs for families across the province. Given how complex Ontario’s child care system is, we wanted to get this right. Today, we’re delivering a deal that will keep money in the pockets of hard-working parents.”—The Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario

“A year ago, our government made a commitment to Canadians: to deliver affordable high-quality early learning and child care for young families across the country. Now that agreements have been reached with all provinces and territories, a cause championed by generations of forward-thinking Canadians is about to become reality. I am so pleased that today’s agreement delivers our promise to Canadians to make life more affordable for young families, create jobs, increase women's participation in the workforce and give every child the best possible start in life – no matter where they live.”—The Hon. Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

“Today’s historic agreement with Ontario means that all families in Canada now have access to the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system. This is a momentous occasion based on the shared goal that every child deserves the best possible start in life. Our vision and objectives for early learning and child care are quite simple: reduce child care fees, create more spaces, ensure equitable access for all children, and grow a strong and skilled early childhood educator workforce. This agreement is an important step in ensuring that all families have access to high-quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive child care.”—The Hon. Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

“The issue of affordability is something I’ve heard clearly on the ground from community organizations like Brampton YMCA and Peel BGC. So many parents at their doorstops, especially mothers, have told me they want to get into the workforce but are facing barriers. We promised $30 billion over five years for a national child-care program and to cut fees to $10 a day over five years, and we are delivering for Canadian families.” —Sonia Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Brampton South

CONTACT:

The Office of Sonia Sidhu, Member of Parliament, Brampton South

P: (905) 846-0076   |  E: [email protected]