Ottawa Failing to Meet 2026 Target for Establishing Affordable $10-a-Day Childcare, According to a Recent Statement
As the 2026 deadline for implementing $10-a-day child care services across Canada approaches, it appears that the country is not on track to meet this ambitious goal. A recent report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives suggests that Ottawa is likely to miss this target, with many parents in five provinces still paying more than $10 a day for child care after 2026[1][2][4].
Currently, only six provinces and territories are meeting or have fees at around the $10-a-day target[1]. These include Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The federal government has been investing heavily in early learning and child care, committing up to $30 billion over five years, with the aim of reducing fees by 50% outside Quebec by the end of 2022 and increasing the availability of affordable child care spaces[3].
Some jurisdictions are actively expanding affordable child care availability. For instance, Ontario’s initiatives include directed growth applications to create hundreds of new community-based affordable child care spaces by 2026, aiming to improve access and workforce quality as part of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement[5].
However, economist David Macdonald, from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, questions whether enough child care spaces can be rapidly built to accommodate the increased demand. He also states that Ontario and Alberta are making progress towards the 2026 target but are unlikely to meet it[2].
Across the board, provinces that had the fewest restrictions on fees and let them get too high see big savings when regulations are implemented, according to David Macdonald. Cities in provinces without plans to reduce fees to $10 a day have the highest costs for child care. For example, parents in Richmond, B.C. are paying median fees of $39 per day for infants, about four times the target fee[4].
Martha Friendly, a child care advocate, emphasizes the importance of affordable set fees for parents and fair wages and good working conditions for workers. She also highlights the expansion of the child care workforce, including hiring more workers and retaining existing ones[1].
In conclusion, while significant progress has been made toward the $10-a-day child care goal, full nationwide realization by 2026 appears unlikely, with a mixed picture across provinces—some meeting or exceeding targets and others lagging behind[1][3][5]. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives published a report stating that Ottawa is expected to miss its 2026 deadline for implementing $10-a-day child care services across the country. This report was first published on July 9, 2025, by The Canadian Press.
- The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives questions whether enough child care spaces can be built in Ontario and Alberta to accommodate the increased demand, suggesting these provinces are unlikely to meet the $10-a-day child care target by 2026.
- Martha Friendly, a child care advocate, underscores the importance of affordable set fees for parents, fair wages, and good working conditions for workers in the child care sector, emphasizing the expansion of the child care workforce.
- The federal government has been investing heavily in early learning and child care, committing up to $30 billion over five years, with the aim of reducing fees by 50% outside Quebec by the end of 2022 and increasing the availability of affordable child care spaces.
- The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives published a report stating that Ottawa is expected to miss its 2026 deadline for implementing $10-a-day child care services across the country, and currently, only six provinces and territories are meeting or have fees around the $10-a-day target.
- Ontario is actively expanding affordable child care availability, with initiatives such as directed growth applications to create hundreds of new community-based affordable child care spaces by 2026, aiming to improve access and workforce quality.
