Policy Monitor

The Policy Monitor tracks Federal, Provincial and Territorial early childhood policy initiatives, developments and announcements.

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Canada Strong: Budget 2025

Canada
Excerpt: "Canada-wide early learning and child care transfer payments are expected to increase from $7.9 billion in 2025-26 to $8.5 billion in 2029-30, reflecting 3 per cent per year growth for four years starting in 2027-28 as announced in 2025. This also includes $625 million over four years, beginning in 2023-24, for the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund."
Excerpt: "Under the Canada-Wide Agreement, Manitoba has introduced a provincial wage grid, expanded post-secondary education and training seats, established a tuition reimbursement program and introduced professional development days. Most recently, in May 2025 the province announced in partnership with Canada the biggest increase to wages for front-line ECEs in Manitoba’s history. Our Commitment; Improve recruitment, retention and recognition of the early learning and child care workforce; Continue to engage with partners in advancing this work; Publicly report on our progress."
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: "This new child care centre will include 24 spaces for infants and toddlers, 100 spaces for children 30 months to school age, and 24 spaces for school-age children. These new spaces will be in addition to more than 500 child care spaces in Columbia Valley and the surrounding area funded through ChildCareBC programs, which help meet the needs of local families."
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."

Education Act

Alberta
Current as of October 21, 2025: The Education Act specifies goals for Alberta’s Early Childhood Services to Grade 12 (ECS-12) education system and identifies the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry, school boards, charter schools, private schools, teachers, parents and students. The Act came into force on September 1, 2019.
Excerpt: "Openness, transparency and accountability are guiding principles of the Government of Canada, and we agree with the Auditor General that regular analysis and reporting on the Canada-wide system is essential to protect its integrity and ensure it continues to empower families by meeting their evolving needs. More work is needed to improve reporting practices. We are working with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners to provide Canadians with clear and accurate information on the progress being made to build a stronger system, reduce costs and empower families across the country."
Excerpt: "Families in 14 communities throughout the province will benefit from more than 900 new licensed child care spaces that will open this fall, expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care. “Families throughout British Columbia are seeing new child care spaces open in their communities, giving families real options they can count on,” said Lisa Beare, B.C.’s Minister of Education and Child Care. “These spaces mean shorter waitlists, more access to affordable, high-quality child care and peace of mind for parents, knowing children are learning in safe, supportive environments. This is about making life easier for parents today, while investing in stronger communities for generations to come.”"
British Columbia
Excerpt: "The Landmark YMCA child care centre includes 12 spaces for infant-toddlers and 41 spaces for children 2.5 years to school age. Situated in the heart of Kelowna at Landmark District, a 15-acre business community, the centre will help provide convenient access for local families and working professionals. “The opening of the Landmark YMCA child care centre is a testament to what we can achieve when community partners come together with a shared vision,” said Alyson Graf, president and CEO, YMCA of Southern Interior BC. “We are proud to help Kelowna families access the quality child care they deserve, right where they live and work. This centre reflects our ongoing commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive community for everyone.”"
Excerpt: "Built to serve Moose Jaw's growing and diverse population, the new joint-use facility is now home to Coteau Hills Elementary and Our Lady of Hope Catholic School. It brings together Sacred Heart, St. Mary, Empire and Westmount elementary schools into a new state-of-the-art learning environment. The facility offers a unified space designed to support students and families for generations, featuring modern classrooms, a multipurpose cultural room, a shared kitchen lab, a Maker Space Studio and a child care centre with space for 51 children - all under one roof. "This joint-use school in Moose Jaw brings together education, child care and shared spaces that reflect the needs of young learners,” Moe said. “From early childhood through the elementary years, Saskatchewan schools are giving our students their best start. This will be a place where students are encouraged to grow and families feel part of the school community.”"