$10-a-day childcare coming to Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories will have affordable child care options for working parents in just over a month.

The Northwest Territories will achieve an average of $10-a-day child care fees under the Canada-wide early learning and child care system by April 1, according to the federal government.

That’s two years ahead of the national target, noted Ottawa.

“Reaching an average of $10-a-day child care two years ahead of schedule will mean that child care fees are no longer the obstacle they once were for parents in the Northwest Territories. Together, we are building a brighter future for all children, and making life more affordable for families,” said Jenna Sudds, minister of families, children and social development. 

“We will continue to work hand-in-hand with the Government of the Northwest Territories to achieve other important targets, such as space creation and support to early childhood educators, to ensure that every family in the territory has access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive child care.”

Regulated child care in Nova Scotia will cost parents $10 per day on average by March 2026 thanks to a new three-year action plan between the provincial and federal governments.

Working parents can save up to $9,120 a year

Families in the Northwest Territories could save up to $9,120 a year for each child in licensed child care once fees reach an average of $10 a day, according to the federal government.

“Our government is focused on supporting families and providing children with the best possible start in life,” Michael V. McLeod, member of parliament for Northwest Territories. “The announcement today will mean parents in the Northwest Territories are saving hundreds of dollars each month on child care, and children are receiving the high-quality, inclusive and affordable care they deserve.”

On December 15, 2021, Ottawa and Northwest Territories reached an agreement which notes that the federal government will be contributing more than $51 million for child care in the Northwest Territories over five years.

Affordable child care a reality for many provinces

All provinces and territories have already seen significant reductions in child care fees, with over half now offering regulated child care for an average of $10 a day or less, said Ottawa. The Northwest Territories is joining Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, Yukon and Nunavut in offering child care for an average of $10 a day or less. Quebec and Yukon both reached this milestone before the Canada-wide early learning and child care system was created.

Ottawa aims that all families in Canada will have access to regulated early learning and child care for an average cost of $10 a day for children five years and younger by March 2026.

As part of the Canada-wide early learning and child care system, the federal government will create approximately 250,000 new child care spaces across the country by March 2026 to give families affordable child care options, no matter where they live. This includes creating 300 new child care spaces in the Northwest Territories.

“Child care costs can be a significant financial burden for families in the Northwest Territories. By achieving an average of $10 a day for child care fees, families will be able to focus on what matters most: caring for their children,” said Caitlin Cleveland, minister of education, culture and employment.

“Alleviating these financial pressures also helps parents re-enter the workforce or further their education when they are ready. The Government of the Northwest Territories will continue working with Canada and community-based partners, including Indigenous governments, to make child care more accessible, inclusive and high quality, and to support and retain early childhood educators.”

A previous study found that 30% of employees born in the late 1990s and early 2000s consider child care benefits as the most important factor in considering whether to stay in their current role.