Making childcare affordable
By Chantelle de Jonge Chestermere-Strathmore MLA
Alberta is taking significant steps to support families by making childcare more affordable and accessible. As part of the $3.8-billion Canada-Alberta Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, the province is introducing a flat monthly parent fee of $326.25 for full-time licensed childcare, which works out to roughly $15 a day. Starting April 1, parents with children from zero to kindergarten age attending full-time licensed daycare facilities and family day home programs will be eligible for this reduced rate. For part-time care, parents will pay $230 per month.
To support these changes and high-quality childcare, about 85 per cent of licensed daycare providers will receive a funding increase once the new fee structure is in place on April 1. This initiative is aimed at supporting families in accessing high-quality childcare while also offering them the flexibility to choose their preferred provider.
Every day, parents and families across Alberta rely on licensed childcare providers to support their children’s growth and development while going to work or school. Licensed childcare providers and early childhood educators play a crucial role in helping children build the skills they need to support their growth and overall health. As Alberta’s population grows, the need for high-quality, affordable and accessible licensed and regulated childcare is increasing.
In addition to supporting families with childcare, Alberta is investing in the province’s irrigation infrastructure through the Irrigation Rehabilitation Program to help boost agricultural productivity.
Irrigation helps farmers increase yields, grow more diverse crops, and improve crop quality, to put more food on tables in Alberta and around the world. The irrigation district network is essential to farmers, ranchers, food processors and communities, providing much-needed water for agriculture, processing and other industries, domestic use, recreation, and wildlife habitat.
Last year, Alberta’s government increased funding for the Irrigation Rehabilitation Program to $19 million, up from $13.5 million the year before. This cost-shared program helps irrigation districts modernize infrastructure to deliver water efficiently and reliably to producers, processors and communities. Since the funding was announced, 14 projects have begun or progressed in Alberta’s 11 irrigation districts.
Finally, Alberta’s government will release Budget 2025 on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the start of the new spring legislative session.
Last year, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Nate Horner released Budget 2024: A responsible plan for a growing province, which focused on strengthening health care and education, building safe communities, and managing resources wisely.
Over 2023 and 2024, Alberta’s population grew at an unprecedented rate, and it has put intense strain on many of the province’s public services. Budget 2025 will meet the challenge of this strain while helping plan for the future. Stay tuned for updates on the breakdown of Budget 2025 in the coming weeks.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office with your feedback and concerns (chestermere.strathmore@assembly.ab.ca).
(Chantelle de Jonge is the MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore and the Parliamentary Secretary for Affordability and Utilities)