Trudeau pledges $6 billion to Quebec

• The federal government is transferring about $6 billion to Quebec over five years in connection with Ottawa’s national childcare program, but the money comes without conditions and Quebec’s government can spend it how it pleases.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement Thursday alongside Premier François Legault in Montreal, who said a significant portion of the $6 billion will go toward “completing” the province’s childcare network.

Legault told reporters the money is “without conditions,” adding that the province already spends $2.7 billion a year on its childcare system, which he said costs parents, on average, $8.50 a day per child.

“What that means is that Quebec will receive financing to continue developing its network,” Legault said.

“We also have a deal that says after the year 2026, (Ottawa) will continue to help finance (the network).”

Trudeau has been travelling the country in recent weeks, announcing hundreds of millions of dollars in agreements with provinces to create a national childcare system.

The prime minister sidestepped several questions about an imminent election, which reports say could be as soon as September, saying his government was focused on ensuring as many Canadians as possible were inoculated against COVID-19.

The minority Liberals are targeting seats in Quebec as they seek to regain their parliamentary majority. The province accounts for 78 seats in the 338-seat House of Commons, second only to Ontario.

Ottawa has already signed childcare deals with B.C., Nova Scotia, Yukon, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.