Hundreds of thousands of dollars meant for affordable child care left untouched: coalition
Hundreds of thousands of dollars, originally intended to help low and middle income families afford daycare, is sitting in the bank accounts of childcare centres. But, due to the large surplus, the funds could now be going to higher income families as well.
Lisa Hrechkosy, the executive director of Stanley Knowles Children's Centre, says they’ve encouraged families to apply for subsidized childcare fees but they still have tens of thousands of dollars untouched.
“I think affordability is crucial, and the subsidy advance didn’t target families who really needed it the most. Families who could afford paying childcare were given direction to apply for subsidy are now getting credits,” she said.
The Childcare Coalition of Manitoba says this is the only province to use the subsidy system for the credits.
Lori Isber, a parent with the coalition, says the subsidy is difficult to apply for, stigmatized, and communication about applying was limited.
“We were told by the government we couldn’t disperse it unless families applied for subsidy, and families didn’t apply for subsidy because there was no official Manitoba messaging around it," she said. "Messaging went out through daycare childcare centres.”
The coalition says hundreds of thousands of dollars from a $19 million Canada-Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Agreement is waiting to be used.
"We did have probably three quarters left in the subsidy advance that we were just advised that we needed to find out how we were going to spend that money moving forward," Hrechkosy said.
“Those dollars are going to childcare fees or reducing those childcare fees, and yes I'm assuming some of those higher income families will be receiving some dollars.”
Jodie Kehl, executive director of the Manitoba Child Care Association, said all families in the province of Manitoba were encouraged to apply for childcare subsidy regardless of their income.
"Again, if we are talking about affordability, we need to know which families really need childcare and affordable childcare," Kehl said, adding the current system is not equitable.
“Let’s get rid of the subsidy system and let’s use a sliding scale where families based on their net income would pay a percentage of that income up to a maximum fee.”
She said the lowest amount a household using subsidy will pay for childcare is $2 a day, but some cannot afford that.
Provincially funded facilities can charge up to $42 a day for an infant and $28.20 for school-aged children for full days.
The province says it will not require centers to return the remaining funds.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Canadian-Israeli man shot dead in Egypt; claim links killing to Gaza
A Canadian man 'of Jewish Israeli descent' has been shot dead in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in a suspected criminal case, a security source said, while a previously unknown militant group said it carried out the attack in reaction to the war in Gaza.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.