Many of Manitoba’s young families are enjoying a little Christmas bonus from the province with the announcement of a $10-per-day fee for daycare every day of the year.
This daycare subsidy was initiated by the federal government in 2023. The goal was to ensure that every Canadian family would have access to low-cost daycare by 2026. Still, it only applied to regular school days. On in-service days, school holidays, and during summer break, no federal subsidies applied.
Thanks to the Manitoba government, though, that has changed starting this month. With the creation of the Reduced Parent Fee Revenue Grant, the province has extended the initiative started by the federal government, but on their own dime.
“The need for affordable childcare doesn’t stop on in-services and holidays,” says Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt. “By providing true $10-a-day care every day for school-aged children, we’re making Manitoba’s childcare system one of the most affordable in Canada.”
Prior to this announcement, there were approximately 73 non-school days per year on which the reduced daycare rate didn’t apply. On those days, many families were paying as much as double the cost per registered child.
This new initiative will be paid for from the $15.9 million previously budgeted for daycare initiatives. The budget is also expected to create additional childcare spaces and increase the salaries of early childhood educators.
Local resident Amanda Dumont has one child currently enrolled in the school-age daycare program at Growing Minds Childcare Centre in Niverville. She says the extended provincial subsidy will save her family approximately $650 per year.
As for whether more could be done to provide affordable access, she feels there is not much more that needs to be done locally.
“However, from a federal standpoint, there is a ceiling on how much childcare expenses can be claimed on income tax and I feel that may be worth looking into,” says Dumont. “In regards to availability, I don’t have concerns. But if you spoke to someone in town actively trying to get into a licensed childcare facility, I’m sure they would have concerns.”
