Universal childcare not so universal according to Ontario government
The national daycare program was promised by the Liberal government to provide affordable childcare for all families, but the Ontario government says it was never set up that way.
"The federal government has made a requirement of the provinces to focus their growth on underrepresented groups that have historically low number of spaces relative to their population, so we are prioritizing our growth," said education minister Stephen Lecce.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Which means, unlike the first year of the program, not all centres who want to opt-in can do so.
According to a letter from the City of Ottawa obtained by CTV News, some daycare providers are being told they cannot opt-in as the province prioritizes spaces for Indigenous, low-income and diverse communities.
"With the province's directed growth strategy, 1 in 3 children across the province will get access to CWELCC-funded child care. While many in the community will want to see more of a universal approach to growth as opposed to 1 space for every 3 children, Ottawa's CWELCC-funded child care growth must occur in accordance with the Provincial Access and Inclusion Framework and funding allocations," the letter read.
At the same time, the Ontario Association of Independent Child Care Centres says many providers who have opted in are barely hanging on, crumbling under the financial pressure, and are unable to raise fees that are frozen at 2022 levels.
"We were under the impression, if not told directly, that it was meant to be a universal program across Canada. The government keeps insisting that they are funding childcare centres. They are not funding childcare centres they're actually defunding us," said director, Maggie Moser.
With fewer centres able to opt-in, it means waitlists are ballooning across the province.
"We have 800 names plus on our wait list," said Natalie Orellana, owner of Toronto's Munchkin Manor. "If you're number 800 on our waiting list, chances are you're not getting a spot and chances are your child will age out of the child care system."
But in order to create more spots, the province says it needs more money from the federal government.
"Space creation is my top priority now. We've got to get on with building more spaces to make it more accessible and that's why we're appealing to the federal government. We need the feds to invest," said Lecce.
CTV News reached out to the federal government with questions as it relations to its universal promise but was told, "Design and the delivery of early learning child care programs and services is a matter of provincial jurisdiction, questions specific to their implementation should be directed to the Government of Ontario."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.