News & Stories: Policy Monitor

Excerpt: "Today, the Ontario government introduced the Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026, to strengthen school board oversight and accountability and ensure more consistent learning experiences for students to prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. The proposed changes would move Ontario toward a more accountable, consistent and modern model of high-quality education that better serves students, families and educators across the province."

Excerpt: "The ECE Recruit-Back Incentive provides eligible Early Childhood Educators (ECE) with a grant of $5,000 to return to work full-time in a Manitoba licensed non-profit early learning and child care centre or licensed home. The ECE Recruit-Back Incentive supports Manitoba non-profit child care facilities in recruiting passionate and skilled ECEs, incentivizing individuals that have left Manitoba’s licensed early learning and child care sector to return to full-time work. Funding for The ECE Recruit-Back Incentive is provided under the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide ELCC Agreement. "

Excerpt: "If passed, all 14 public universities in Ontario that offer a teacher education program, along with three private universities, would transition to the new one-year model, with the first cohort starting in May 2027. The one-year model would prioritize practical, in-classroom learning by establishing a minimum practicum length, to be determined through consultation with the sector, so students graduate with the hands-on learning they need to thrive in the classroom. If passed, the government would work with the Ontario College of Teachers and postsecondary partners to implement the new program model while minimizing disruption for students and institutions. The legislation would also enable the government to explore opportunities to recognize relevant prior learning and work experience for individuals pursuing a teaching career, including early childhood educator diplomas or youth work experience."

Excerpt: "The Province is proposing a new legislation that will make it easier for local elected officials to take parental leave when they become a parent. The changes will support gender equity and help more people with caregiving responsibilities participate in local governments."

Excerpt: "The government is continuing to provide support to growing communities by increasing modern learning spaces for students to drive student success. This is why Ontario is investing about $30 billion over the next 10 years, including over $22 billion in capital grants, to support new and redeveloped schools and child care projects. These investments will help students succeed in their studies and prepare them for the future."

Excerpt: "Early childhood educators (ECEs) play a big role in giving Manitoba kids a good start, and they deserve wages that match their expertise and show how much we value them. Our historic $5/hr wage grid increase for ECEs last year is helping recruit and retain workers in this priority sector. And this year, wages will increase for ECEs by two per cent. From March 2023 to February 2026, the sector has grown by 40 per cent with 1,118 more ECEs working in Manitoba’s licensed childcare sector. In addition to the wage increase, we are expanding the successful Recruit-Back Incentive of $5,000 to encourage workers to return to full-time work in the licensed sector. More than 800 ECEs have received this incentive so far and we are expanding it to bring even more back."

Excerpt: "In spring 2026, the Educational Assistant Internship Program will be expanded to give school boards across Alberta greater access to trained educational assistants, helping ease staffing pressures and better support students in increasingly complex classrooms. Since 2023, Alberta’s government has provided this program with more than $2 million, supporting more than 1,280 educational assistants. Educational assistants in the program receive online learning, in-class practical experience, ongoing coaching, mentoring and access to a community of practice. The flexible design allows school authorities to adapt the program to local needs."

Excerpt: "The Yukon’s education system needs to focus on the interests of students. Budget 2026 will provide the resources to equip students for the future, making sure the education system serves all Yukon communities and provides appropriate supports for students, educators and families… $1.9 million in additional support for universal child care, keeping care affordable for families… $2.8 million to increase physical accessibility of existing child care spaces and help organizations create new ones in underserved communities."

Excerpt: "$10-a-day child care will continue into the 2026-27 fiscal year. To ensure this is successful the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will develop a steering committee that will make recommendations regarding changes and benefit improvements for early childhood educators. These changes will help to recruit more educators to work in child care and retain those already in the workforce. The Early Childhood Educator Steering Committee requested by the sector will include representative groups of educators from across the province and the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador. It will inform changes to the wage grid and workforce policies and help develop an implementation plan for benefits. This work will also help identify current workforce challenges and propose potential solutions."

Excerpt: "The 2026-27 Provincial Budget provides $425.5 million for early learning and child care in Saskatchewan, an increase of $12.3 million or three per cent. The renewal of the Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement effective April 1, 2026, provides continuity for child care operations and supports Saskatchewan families in accessing affordable, high-quality early learning and child care."

Excerpt: "The Yukon government has appointed a four-member Independent Panel to lead a comprehensive review of the Department of Education. The aim of the review is to support the long-term wellbeing of Yukoners by continuing to put learners at the centre of the education system. The review, a part of the government’s mandate, will look at how the department supports learners, families and educators across the Yukon’s three school authorities, as well as those accessing post-secondary and adult learning supports. By examining these core services, the panel will identify what is working well and where improvements can be made. The goal of the review is to ensure the Yukon’s education system from kindergarten to Grade 12 and beyond is fair, responsive and that it meets the territory’s needs."

Excerpt: "Budget 2026-2027 also includes initiatives totalling nearly $392 million over five years to support higher education training, labour market integration and research, including $150 million to continue promoting and raising the profile of the disciplines of engineering and information technology, and $132 million to extend employment assistance allowances. Measures are also planned to support the training and qualification of childcare educators, accommodate the increase in medical school cohorts, maintain efforts to integrate immigrants into the workforce, and support the development of the Indigenous workforce. An additional $45 million is also provided to support university research."