Viviane Lapointe
Viviane Lapointe
Member of Parliament for Sudbury
Federal Government Delivers Big Savings for Working Families with Lower Child Care Fees
January 13, 2025

SUDBURY – Starting in January, families will enjoy big reductions in their child care fees with costs now capped at $22 per day. The average cost in Ontario is set to be at $19 per day.

This cost-saving measure comes as a result of the federal government’s commitment to affordable child care. The $22 cap is a step towards the plan’s final goal for $10-a-day child care, bringing much needed cost relief for working families across the country, including Sudbury.

Member of Parliament for Sudbury, Viviane Lapointe, says the Liberal government’s action on lowering child care costs comes at a time when young families need it most. “Before our government took these steps, child care was not an affordable option for parents – many saying their child care fees each month were higher than their mortgage payments. With this cap, we’ve reduced child care fees by 50%, saving a family up to $6,000 for each child. If you have two children in daycare, you are saving $12,000 each and every year. That makes a huge difference to a family’s household budget,” says Lapointe.

Pierre Poilievre’s description of the child care program as a “slush fund” draws fierce criticism from Lapointe. “That kind of thinking is irresponsible at best, and reckless at worst. Affordable child care is putting real money in the pockets of young working parents. It’s also good for the country’s economy as more women can join and remain in the workforce,” notes Lapointe.

According to the Financial Post, Canada has seen a record employment rate for women indicating  that the “subsidized daycare plan is working. For women aged 25 to 54, defined by economists as the “core” working demographic, the employment rate reached 81.6 per cent… the highest since collection of this data began in 1976” (Financial Post - December 05, 2022). The report states that the government’s child care policy has played a role in getting women back in the workforce. “Women feel more confident going back into the workforce because they won’t be spending their entire paycheque on child care.”

Lapointe also points to the Ontario government’s projections that the newly reduced child care fees will save families nearly $300 million across the province, further boosting the economy.

Local child care operators also support the federal government’s plan and say it will make a big difference for working families. "Affordable childcare is the foundation of a thriving future. With fees for children under 6 now reduced to $22.00 per day in Ontario, families gain access to opportunities, and our children receive the care and early learning they deserve. In a quality care system, this investment in our children benefits everyone, building stronger communities and a brighter tomorrow,” said Theresa Mills, Executive Director of Laurentian Child and Family Centre.

The federal government’s plan also includes investments to create 86,000 new licensed child care spaces across Ontario by the end of 2026, addressing the long wait times to access child care centres, another challenge for parents.

“Affordable child care isn’t just a policy—it’s an essential part of ensuring that our economy continues to grow,” Lapointe continued. “When parents have access to affordable child care, they can rejoin the workforce knowing their children are receiving the care and education they need to thrive.”

 
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