Ontario latest province to pledge more spending on childcare

A breakdown of various programs that are being provided across the country

Ontario’s Liberal government has promised to offer free childcare for preschool-age kids starting in 2020.

Here’s a glance at what other provinces offer:

British Columbia: Last month, British Columbia introduced measures it described as a first step toward universal childcare. The province pledged to spend an additional $1 billion on childcare over the next three years to lower costs, increase the number of spaces and improve quality. Alberta: Alberta’s Ministry of Children’s Services provides financial assistance to eligible lowerincome families who use licensed care facilities. The subsidies vary based on the region, type of facility and age of the child. The maximum monthly subsidy is $714 for infants in licensed daycare in the northeast region of the province. Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan’s government offers subsidies for childcare on a sliding scale. The monthly subsidies go as high as $570 monthly for full-time care of infants in certain regions.

Manitoba: Manitoba provides annual operating grants to some licensed, non-profit childcare facilities and sets maximum fee limits for their services. But facilities can choose not to accept the funding and can set their own rates.

Quebec: Quebec has had a universal childcare program for more than 20 years. It provides daycare spots at daily rates that start at $7.75 and go up to $21.20 per day depending on income. The program is intended for kids under five years old, but also offers care to children over the age of five who don’t have access to after-school care.

New Brunswick: New Brunswick provides free childcare at designated early learning centres to families with an annual gross income of $37,500 or less who have children aged five and under. Subsidies are available to parents making more than $37,500 on a sliding scale.

Nova Scotia: In Nova Scotia, subsidies are paid directly to the licensed centre or agency that parents choose, depending on a family’s income, finances and “social need.” Parents applying for a subsidy cannot have more than $50,000 in savings or liquid assets. They also have to be working, job searching, in school or have a “special need” within the family. Newfoundland and Labrador: Newfoundland and Labrador offers childcare subsidies for low-income families who meet a set of criteria that includes income and assets. And some childcare centres receive grants from the government, which limits the amount they can charge for care per day. The maximum those facilities can charge is $44 per day for infants, $33 daily for toddlers and $30 a day for kids up to 13.

Prince Edward Island: P.E.I. offers full and partial subsidies, depending on financial and social need. Families are evaluated based on income, work status and medical needs.