Saskatchewan pushes feds to renegotiate $10-a-day childcare deal

Saskatchewan wants changes to $10-a-day childcare deal as Ottawa announced hundreds of newly created spaces in the province on Wednesday.

But the event quickly shifted to a debate about the future of the $10-a-day childcare program.

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Federal and provincial officials gathered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic Regina to announce 540 new childcare spaces across campuses in Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and Prince Albert, as well as 90 spaces at Northlands College in La Ronge.

The $10.8-million investment is part of the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund, designed to help families access more affordable care while also training new early childhood educators.

But Education Minister Everett Hindley said the bigger story is what happens when the existing deal with Ottawa comes up for renewal.

“We remain willing and ready to renegotiate that deal at any time… we’d like to see more federal dollars, but at minimum, more flexibility around the funding pillars so we can do a better job of getting that out equitably,” Hindley said.

The current federal-provincial agreement that funds $10-a-day childcare expires on March 31, 2026. Hindley said Saskatchewan has reached out to federal ministers repeatedly, starting in April, to begin talks, but no negotiations have started.

The province said the program has already saved some families thousands of dollars each year and helped Saskatchewan hit the $10-a-day childcare three years ahead of schedule. But Hindley warned the current funding model leaves “legacy” childcare centres; those operating before 2021, at a disadvantage compared to newer centres.

He also flagged issues around children “aging out” of the program mid-year when they turn six, saying provinces like Manitoba have successfully negotiated more flexibility into their agreements.

Secretary of State Buckley Belanger speaks at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Regina on Wednesday, announcing new childcare spaces as part of the federal-provincial $10-a-day childcare program. (Jacob Bamhour 980CJME)

Federal Secretary of State Buckley Belanger said he is confident a new deal will be in place before the deadline.

“I can assure you, by 2026, we’ll have a new agreement in place. Negotiations are underway, and I’m fairly confident we’ll come up with a good deal for Saskatchewan and for all of Canada,” he said.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic President Dr. Larry Rosia said the new childcare centres will help students, staff and faculty balance education and family needs. (Jacob Bamhour 980 CJME)

Officials said today’s announcement nearly doubles the number of childcare spaces tied to Saskatchewan’s post-secondary sector. Dr. Larry Rosia, president of Sask Polytech, said access to childcare has been one of the biggest barriers for students, and the new centres will help them complete their education.

Northlands College President Michael McCormick said the 90 new spaces in La Ronge will mark the school’s first-ever daycare facility. (Jacob Bamhour 980 CJME)

In La Ronge, the 90 new spaces will mark Northlands College’s first daycare facility, a change President Michael McCormick called “long overdue” for students and staff in the north.

Hindley said the new spaces will make a dent in childcare waitlists but won’t solve the problem. With the deal set to expire in seven months, he insists families need certainty.

“Families are benefiting now,” he said. “But the next version of this deal has to be built to last.”