$10-a-day day care agreement possible

There is mounting optimism at Queen’s Park and in Ottawa that Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau can reach an agreement on $10-a-day child care.

Officials from both governments meet again Friday, following a formal negotiation Wednesday.

Karina Gould, the federal minister for families, children and social development, told the Star on Thursday that she believes a deal with Ontario is within reach.

“I really do feel optimistic. The fact that officials are talking is a really good sign,” said Gould. “Do I think it’s going to happen in the immediate term? No, there’s still a lot of work and conversation to have. But I think that the general objectives … are there,” she said.

“We just need to keep working through the details, to get to the point where we need to be.”

At Queen’s Park, provincial sources said the “first meeting was positive.” on Wednesday. “Our feeling is there’s common ground,” said a senior official, speaking confidentially in order to discuss internal deliberations.

“Still a lot of work to do however,” the source added.

“The plan is to have officials chat again Friday.”

After Wednesday’s meeting with federal and provincial bureaucrats and political staff, Ford had a high-level discussion with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. There is widespread belief at Queen’s Park that the pair will ultimately be able to achieve an agreement that would deliver more affordable child care to Ontario families.

Gould said although officials met, she has not received “an action plan” from Ontario, describing that as a blueprint for how the province will meet federal objectives.

“They’re having very good conversations and very good information is being shared. That’s a good place to be right now and then we can have more active negotiations.”

Ottawa has put $10.2 billion on the table.

That is Ontario’s portion of the overall $27.2-billion fund, based on its 37.8 per cent share of Canada’s five-and-under population.

Ford believes Ontario deserves more because the province already spends $3.6 billion on full-day kindergarten for all 260,000 four- and five-yearolds and because daycare is more expensive here.

Ontario, where child care can cost $70 a day, and New Brunswick are the only two provinces to not yet sign a deal.