Child care money expected in March 22 budget

Child care advocates have been told to expect a long-term funding commitment in next week’s budget, sources say, but some are already wondering whether it’s wise of the federal government to promise years of cash without first securing conditions from the provinces.

It’s not clear just how much money is at stake, but those in the sector with knowledge of the government’s thinking expect that the March 22 budget will extend the $500 million pledged for fiscal 2017-18 into an annual commitment over 10 years.

Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity because details of the budget have not yet been publicly released, have been told the money is coming from the federal social infrastructure fund.

Spending $500 million a year would amount to a commitment of about $5 billion in child care funding over the decade that the fund is available.

Several sources said Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, who is responsible for the child care file, has been telling stakeholders that multi-year funding is on the way.

“Minister Duclos has been fairly clear at a couple of consultations that I’ve been at, that we should expect something in the budget,” said Vicky Smallman, director of women’s and human rights at the Canadian Labour Congress.

An extended pledge would be one way to encourage the provinces and territories to sign a funding deal with Ottawa, she added.

“We said to him that it would be a show of good faith and seriousness to put money on the table, and that would help bring the provinces around.”