REGINA — “We’re facing a child care crisis,” those words were repeated by Joan Pratchler, Saskatchewan NDP Critic for Child Care and Early Learning, as the province still hasn’t signed onto the federal $10-a-day child care program.
The program aims to reduce fees for parents who put their children in child care, while creating new spaces and jobs.
So far, 11 out of 13 provinces and territories have signed onto the deal. Both Alberta and Sask. remain unsigned.
Minister of Education, Everett Hindley, has previously said they would negotiate certain details with the federal government, as some things regarding child care had changed since the last deal was signed.
Those talks had stalled with the provincial government hearing nothing back from the feds.
“It's important that both parties get to the table and sign this deal,” said Pratchler.
While the deal is being finalized, Pratchler said there’s work to be done from getting a wage and benefits program started to emergency funding for centres at risk of closure.
Cara Werner with the Southeast Saskatchewan Directors Association mentioned a survey done by Child Care Now Saskatchewan, asking 50 child care operators who represent more than 1500 spaces about the risk of the federal deal not being renewed regarding inequitable funding.
Fourteen per cent of those respondents said they would be at risk within three months, 38 per cent within a year, and 48 per cent within two years.
“That is hundreds of daycare spots potentially gone because of the province [and] the [federal] government's current outdated funding model,” said Werner.
Additionally, 77 per cent of respondents said they wouldn’t be able to continue providing $10-a-day child care past March 2026.
Pratchler stressed the importance of affordable child care.
“It supports our rural communities and urban communities, and it strengthens our economy.”
SaskToday reached out to the Ministry of Education for comment.
In a statement, “the Government of Saskatchewan continues to call on the federal government to sit down and re-negotiate an extension to the Child Care Agreement. Ministry of Education officials have had ongoing meetings with federal counterparts as part of the current agreement, during which time they have reaffirmed our commitment to signing an extension.
The statement also mentions Hindley’s numerous written letters to the previous and current federal minister to discuss the extension in a meeting.
As for signing the deal promptly, the government noted the agreement doesn’t end until March 2026.
“There is room to negotiate a better agreement that will result in a more sustainable child-care system that works better for Saskatchewan families. We will continue to work toward achieving the best result for Saskatchewan families,” the government added.
