QUESTION PERIOD — Employment and Social Development
Early Learning and Child Care Agreements
June 11, 2026
Senator Moreau, I recently met with leaders in the child care and social policy sectors for a candid conversation about the long-term sustainability of the Canada-wide early learning and child care program, or the CWELCC. They conveyed their deep concern that, while the federal government says that it is committed to protecting the program, without an increase in funding reflecting the increased operational costs of the program and sufficient increases to cover the cost of expansion, the program will falter at a time it is needed most.
Senator Moreau, can you tell us why the recent spring economic update failed to signal sufficient increases in federal funding to sustain the Canada-wide early learning and child care program?
I can tell you that Canada-wide early learning and child care transfer payments are expected to increase from $7.9 billion in 2025-26 to $8.1 billion in 2030-31. This includes the final two years of funding for the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund, which provides $625 million over five years, and the renewal of the early learning and child care agreements starting in 2026-27. There is also an increase in 2026-27 of $695 million in future funding for the Canada-Ontario Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, which was moved into that year. This was to support the extension of Ontario’s bilateral agreement, as announced in December 2025.
Thank you. I’m not sure your answer addressed my next question. The federal government’s CWELCC’s funding agreements with Ontario and Alberta expire in less than a year’s time, and both provinces have said that the federal transfers are insufficient to sustain the program. Will the federal government signal an increase in funding for the program within the next few months and secure agreements with the Governments of Ontario and Alberta to stay in the program?
Senator Senior, I can’t comment on future announcements from the government; however, I can tell you that the government cares about this important issue and will examine its provisions closer to its expiry date. The government will also continue to collaborate with its provincial partners to support them in their mandate to deliver health services to all Canadians, in particular young Canadians.
