Childcare -- Image from CP

By Connor Gunn/LethbridgeNewsNOW

$35 Million In Funding

Alberta providing more support for childcare operators

Nov 8, 2021 | 5:20 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Alberta’s government is directing almost $35 million in funding to licensed child care programs to help recruit and keep “skilled educators.”

As part of the program, the province is also providing one-time COVID relief funding.

“To help strengthen the child care sector, the Alberta government is directing funding from the annual Canada-Alberta bilateral agreement to help child care operators navigate through these unprecedented times,” the release reads.

This funding will recruit and retain qualified educators and keep skilled staff within the sector.

Alberta says about $19 million has already been distributed to child care operators. In addition, approximately $15 million in unspent bilateral funding will be provided to the child care sector for COVID-19 relief.

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Funding to support the sector includes:

• $20.57 million for a child care staff recovery and retention program to help attract and retain qualified and certified educators to the sector, and to acknowledge long-term staff who have worked throughout the pandemic.
• Approximately $15 million in unspent (due to lower than expected enrolment and expenditures) bilateral funding from the federal government for COVID-19 relief to further support operators as quickly as possible.

NDP Critic for Children’s Services issued the following statement following the government’s announcement:

“Today I joined child care operators and parents to call on the UCP to use the approximately $70 million in unspent funding in the Children’s Services budget to support centres struggling to make ends meet while the UCP delays signing a $10/day child care agreement with the federal government.

“Minutes later, the UCP hastily re-announced existing federal funding from the long-standing bilateral agreement, most of which cannot be used by providers to pay operational costs like rent or wages. What can be used is a fraction of what the UCP already has available in its own budget.

“Child care operators are struggling to pay their staff and keep their doors open. Minister Rebecca Schulz and the UCP are sitting on unspent dollars meant to help these small businesses fighting to stay afloat, and help working parents trying to stay in their job.

“Why does the UCP refuse to support Alberta families and our economy?”

More information on the funding and the program can be found at alberta.ca.