Policy Monitor
The Policy Monitor tracks Federal, Provincial and Territorial early childhood policy initiatives, developments and announcements.
Manitoba
Excerpt: "The Ontario government is requiring school boards to establish Student and Family Support Offices, so parents and guardians have a clear, effective way to get help regarding their child’s education and find solutions faster. The offices will act as an additional way to help families get answers on broader community concerns, as well as contentious or complex issues that need to be escalated after speaking with the school. This initiative is one more way the government is delivering on its broader plan to make school boards more accountable and focused on student success with a back-to-basics approach that strengthens student achievement and prepares them for rewarding careers."
Nova Scotia
Excerpt: "Dear Parents and Guardians, I know that child care costs are a top concern for families, and I am writing to provide an important update about what to expect for next year. I am pleased to share that Ontario has successfully negotiated a one-year extension of the federal child care program which was to expire on March 31, 2026. This extension ensures continuity of the program for the coming year, providing much-needed stability for families and keeping fees at their current average of $19 per day, and a maximum of $22 per day, until at least December 31, 2026."
Excerpt: "Classrooms in Alberta continue to grow and are becoming increasingly complex, and immediate action is needed to address these issues in the public education system. To meet these issues head on, the Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee has been created. The cabinet committee will help guide government policy and deploy resources to deal with class sizes and classroom complexity."
Excerpt: "The government is continuing to ensure growing communities are provided with modern learning spaces to help students achieve success. As announced in the 2025 Ontario Budget, Ontario is investing over $30 billion over the next 10 years, including approximately $23 billion in capital grants, to build new and redeveloped schools and child care spaces. This includes working closely with school boards to ensure infrastructure investments meet the needs of local communities and deliver value for Ontario taxpayers. This investment includes approximately $2 billion for the 2025–26 school year to repair and maintain schools, which will support safe, healthy, accessible and supportive learning environments. For the 2025–26 school year, 41 new schools and additions have opened, creating over 17,700 student spaces, including five French-language school projects."
Canada
Excerpt: "The Manitoba government has added 832 teaching positions across the province since October 2023, increasing the number of funded teachers to 13,903 total teachers this fiscal year from 13,071 in 2023-24, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt announced today, adding this major investment is part of a broader commitment to ensure students receive the support they need to succeed."
Excerpt: "Alberta’s government will work with school boards to gather yearly data on class sizes and composition. This information will be used to better understand staffing, student needs and classroom complexity. School boards will be required to submit data on Alberta classrooms by Nov. 24, and by January, this data will be made publicly available and will then be released annually."
British Columbia
Excerpt: "Today, Okanese First Nation is celebrating the grand opening of its newly-constructed Okanese Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve Building—a vibrant, community-driven space dedicated to nurturing early childhood development and school readiness. This new facility replaces the original learning centre built in 1976, marking a renewed commitment to the community’s youngest members. Designed through meaningful consultation with community members, leaders, and Elders, the building reflects the values and traditions of Okanese First Nation, with a strong emphasis on land-based learning and cultural connection. The centre offers a nurturing environment by bringing together spaces for play, quiet reflection, wellness, and cultural learning, all under one roof."
Excerpt: "The Ontario government is investing $43.9 million over three years to continue the province’s After School Program (ASP), keeping more than 13,000 children and youth in underserved communities active and healthy each year. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, this funding will ensure the ASP can continue to provide safe, supervised activities and tutoring for students, along with nutritious snacks, at low or no cost, setting them up for success, inside and outside the classroom."