News & Stories: Policy Monitor

Excerpt: "The government wishes to support Québec families in a practical way. For most, this means quality educational childcare services. Services that will enhance family work school balance and foster child development. Furthermore, our government wishes to pay special attention to families in vulnerable situations and ensure that they receive the help they need. Converting 5 000 non subsidized childcare spaces: We are committed to gradually converting non subsidized childcare spaces in the network into subsidized spaces. To ensure greater financial equity, I am announcing today the conversion of 5 000 childcare spaces in 2023 2024. This measure will allow more families to benefit from the reduced contribution, which is currently $8.85 per day."

Excerpt: "Licensed family home centres can receive financial support to reduce parent fees, fund wages and professional development opportunities, and purchase materials, equipment, or supplies. Current unlicensed home child care providers can also receive funding to help cover costs associated with seeking licensing from the province."

Excerpt: "The Nova Scotia Child Benefit is a tax-free payment to help eligible families with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. Budget 2023-24 invests an additional $8 million in the benefit to help support families with incomes below $34,000. Families receiving the benefit will see: a $250 increase for the first child and each additional child for families earning less than $26,000; a $250 increase for the first child and $125 for each additional child for those earning between $26,000 and $33,999; In the last two years, the annual payment for families at the lowest income level has increased by $600 per child to $1,525."

Excerpt: "The provincial government will partner with operators in 24 communities to create 603 designated early learning and child-care spaces. “We know there is a need for more high-quality, inclusive and affordable early learning and child-care spaces,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Bill Hogan. “Creating new designated spaces will make a difference for New Brunswick families. We look forward to continuing to work with our early learning and child-care sector on efforts to increase access to these critical services.” The new spaces include 231 for infants (birth to 24 months) and 372 for preschool children (ages 2-5). The breakdown is as follows: francophone spaces for infants: 66; francophone spaces for preschool children: 61; anglophone spaces for infants: 165; anglophone spaces for preschool children: 311."

Excerpt: "The Provincial Government is issuing a call for members to expand the Minister of Education’s Early Learning and Child Care Advisory Committee. Members of the advisory committee will contribute to the development and implementation of the provincial Early Learning Action Plan 2023-2026. The committee will provide advice to the Minister of Education respecting early learning and child care, programs and services, and funding and activities that support early learning and child care and ensure a high quality and inclusive system."