#AtWhatCost Are We Allowing This to Continue?
Join the Movement for Provincial Autonomy in Childcare
The ACE National Coalition of Childcare Operators is leading the change to shift from federally controlled funding to no-strings-attached childcare funding for the provinces, empowering them to create childcare solutions that ensure affordability, accessibility, quality and sustainability in childcare. With thousands of families on waitlists and providers facing sustainability challenges that in turn are affecting affordability & quality for parents, change is critical.
At the same time, we are advocating for equitable and sustainable solutions at the provincial level, such as a "funding follows the family" approach. This model respects both parental and operator choice, allowing funding to move with families to their chosen childcare center—whether private, non-profit, or home-based—reducing fees and minimizing unnecessary bureaucratic administrative costs, red tape and government overreach.
Operators that have Signed our Petition
Canada’s Childcare Landscape: Understanding the Numbers
Take a look at the pie chart—it’s a snapshot of the diverse childcare landscape across Canada!
In 2022, Canada had 45,366 childcare providers nationwide, categorized into three primary groups: 31% are childcare centers, 33% are licensed home-based settings, and 36% are unlicensed home-based providers.
This breakdown, sourced from Statistics Canada, underscores the importance of providing families with choices. Whether parents select a center or home-based setting, having options allows them to find the best fit for their children’s needs and their own family values. Parental choice is key to a strong childcare system that serves families across the country!
Explore our bar graph. It’s more than just numbers—it’s about impact.
Here, we compare the total childcare spaces from 2022 to those represented by the operators who have already signed our petition.
It’s a powerful reminder of the vast network of providers who are standing with us for change. These spaces are not just stats; they’re childcare spots filled with learning, and growth for Canada’s children.
Your voice matters! By signing our petition, you join a community fighting for accessible, high-quality childcare for all.
Let’s make our collective impact even greater—sign the petition today and help us reshape the future of childcare in Canada!
Despite efforts to make childcare more affordable, frozen fees and insufficient subsidies prevent providers from expanding or sustaining their services.
This results in long waitlists, particularly in urban and rural areas, with the majority of the funded spaces being taken up by higher-income earners. As a result, the system becomes increasingly inequitable, leaving low-income families and newcomers without access!
ACCESS
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Frozen fees and inadequate government support under the agreements force operators to cut essential costs like staff, quality food, and educational materials.
These reductions directly impact the care and educational outcomes for children, while programs for children with diverse needs are scaled back, compromising inclusivity.
QUALITY & INCLUSIVITY
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The current Federal-Provincial Child Care agreements centralize control, imposing federal regulations that undermine the unique approaches of operators.
For example, by unequitably favoring non-profits and targeting private operators—predominantly led by women—the federal government not only threatens the sustainability and quality of personalized childcare but also stifles female entrepreneurship, rather than encouraging it!
Erosion of Operational Control
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Approx. 70% of the childcare industry is made up of small owner-operator type childcare centers. Managing the complex and often poorly thought out, requirements set out in the agreements have created massive amounts of red tape and have created significant administrative costs.
Such costs average between $20 to $30 per child per month. For a childcare center with 100 children, this amounts to $2,500 monthly, adding a substantial financial strain on operators already navigating the challenges of the program.
Administrative Burden
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As inflation rises, operators struggle with frozen parent fees and inadequate government assistance that fails to cover increasing operational costs like wages, utilities, and supplies.
This growing gap jeopardizes the financial stability of childcare services, threatening the quality of care and the long term viability of 'affordable' childcare.
Inflation
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#atwhatcost: The real impact
Our Ask
Empower Provinces to Build a Better Childcare System
We call on the federal government to respect provincial jurisdiction by modifying the current funding within the agreements to simple envelope funding—without strings attached—for the provinces to spend on these key priorities:
Affordability
Make childcare more affordable for families.
Quality
Enhance the quality of childcare services.
Accessibility
Increase childcare accessibility.
Our proposal for no-strings-attached envelope funding would give financial support directly to the provinces without any federal conditions. This would untie the hands of each province, allowing them to design and implement childcare funding models that truly work for their families and operators. At the same time, we are advocating for equitable and sustainable solutions at the provincial level, such as a "funding follows the family" approach. This model respects both parental and operator choice, allowing funding to move with families to their chosen childcare center—whether private, non-profit, or home-based—reducing fees and minimizing unnecessary bureaucratic administrative costs, red tape and government overreach.
It’s time to cut the strings. The federal government shouldn’t be telling provinces how to spend their childcare funding. Childcare falls under provincial jurisdiction, so it’s time to respect that and give provinces the power to create solutions that work for their families.
National Awareness Week Highlights
Reflection on the Oct 21-25th 2024 Coast to Coast Rolling Closures & Awareness Campaign
The Coast to Coast Rolling Closures & Awareness Campaign brought together childcare operators across Canada in a united stand for meaningful change. From closures and information sessions to social media advocacy, centers across the country raised awareness about the urgent need for reform in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program. This collective effort sent a strong message: without changes to funding structures and increased provincial autonomy, the quality, accessibility, and affordability of childcare will continue to be at risk.
The campaign showcased the strength and dedication of Canada’s childcare community, with providers from every province committed to building a sustainable, high-quality system for families. Through their participation, operators helped amplify the call for a "funding follows the family" approach, advocating for funding models that empower families and respect local needs.
For more news and updates, visit our media page. If you’re not yet a member, join us today with a National Membership to access our advocacy resources, tools, and latest updates.
Support Us
Join Our Call for Respecting Provincial Jurisdiction in Childcare
Affordable, quality, and accessible childcare is a priority for all of us, and federal control with strings attached is not and will not deliver on these three goals. We need to respect provincial jurisdiction, allowing provinces to manage childcare programs in ways that are effective and efficient for their unique needs.
to demand respect for provincial jurisdiction and support sustainable childcare funding reform, ensuring a better future for our children. #AtWhatCost
our letter
ACE National Coalition of Childcare Operators
Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 8L1
www.acenational.ca
August 20, 2024
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,
Subject: Urgent Call for Reform: Respect Provincial Jurisdiction in Federal-Provincial Child Care Agreements
We, the undersigned, write to you as provincial leaders, stakeholders, and advocates united under the banner of the ACE National Coalition of Childcare Operators. We are leading a national movement to reform the Federal - Provincial Early Learning and Child Care agreements. The current system comes at a great cost, with thousands of families on waitlists and providers facing sustainability challenges that directly impact affordability, quality, and access to care. #AtWhatCost are we allowing this to continue?
Our Ask
We demand that the federal government respects provincial jurisdiction by modifying the current funding within the agreements to simple envelope funding—without strings attached—for the provinces to spend on these key priorities:
1. Affordability: Make childcare more affordable for families.
2. Quality: Enhance the quality of childcare services.
3. Accessibility: Increase childcare accessibility.
Federal ideological mandates should not dictate how these funds are allocated. It's time to respect provincial jurisdiction and empower provinces and their families, ensuring a sustainable, affordable, high-quality, and accessible childcare system for all Canadians.
At the provincial level, once freed from federal restrictions, we advocate for equitable and sustainable solutions, such as a “funding follows the family” approach. This model respects both parental and operator choice, allowing funding to move with families to their chosen childcare provider—whether private, non-profit, or home-based—directly reducing fees and minimizing unnecessary bureaucratic costs, red tape, and government overreach.
Thank you for your consideration and support.
Sincerely,
Krystal Churcher
Chair, ACE National Coalition of Childcare Operators
www.aacenational.ca
On behalf of the undersigned supporters attached.
2. Send a Letter to Government
1. Sign the Petition
Two ways to contribute your voice
Sign The Petition
Join Our Call for Respecting Provincial Jurisdiction in Childcare Programs
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upcoming event
Childcare Perspectives: Voices from Across the Sector- Parent Night
Thursday, November 28th
Hear from childcare operators on the challenges & tough decisions around the $10-a-day program.
