Remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance on Ontario achieving a 50% reduction in child care fees

I am so happy to announce that parents in Ontario will see their child care fees reduced by 50 per cent on average by the end of this year. And Ontario is on track to see child care fees of just $10-a-day by March 2026.

December 19, 2022

Good morning, everyone.

I want to start by saying that our hearts go out to the families of the victims of the horrific shootings in Vaughan. Our government and Minister Lecce’s government stand ready to do whatever the community and the families need us to do.

Let me also start by acknowledging that we are gathered on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.

I am so glad to be here today with my friend and colleague, Minister Karina Gould, who played such an important role in getting our national early learning and child care program across the finish line.

I know—as a mother of a young child—this is an issue particularly close to you, and you have accomplished something historic. And I’m really glad to be here with Minister Lecce and Minister Williams—our partnership with them and with the provincial government in Ontario has been central to this effort.

But above all, I would like to thank the amazing educators who work here at the Toronto Pinnacle YMCA for hosting us.

As a mother of three, I am in awe of the work that our early childhood educators do.

The job you do is extremely important. I think it’s the most important job in the world. I want you to hear from me and from our government that we respect your work—and I think we need to pay you a little more, too.

This is such an exciting day for families here in Ontario.

When we first announced our plan to make high quality, affordable child care a reality in Canada, it was welcomed by many—but there was some justifiable skepticism.

After all, similar promises had been made and broken for five decades.

Even last March, when we actually announced our agreement with Ontario—and that was a great milestone—I know there were some people who doubted whether we would actually be able to deliver.

But, in close partnership with provinces and territories, in close partnership with early learning and child care educators who actually do the work, and with parents across the country, we have done it.

I am so happy to announce that parents in Ontario will see their child care fees reduced by 50 per cent on average by the end of this year. And Ontario is on track to see child care fees of just $10-a-day by March 2026.

Cutting fees in half could save parents in Ontario about $6,000 per year—per child.

As families here in Ontario are dealing with elevated inflation, those savings will mean real relief.

Earlier today, we were speaking with families who have told us what a big difference it is making.

Some people have said they’re going to be able to afford Christmas presents for their kids because of these fee reductions. It is really important.

Affordable child care also means that women in Ontario do not have to choose between their career and their family.

Eighty-two per cent of Canadian women in their prime working years had jobs in November. That is the highest number on record in Canadian history—a true milestone—and what it tells you is that our national system of early learning and child care is doing exactly what it was intended to do.

This is social policy, for sure. This is about making life better for children and families, for sure. But as Minister of Finance, I can tell you this is also economic policy which is driving jobs and growth in our country.

While we can all be proud of the work that brought us here today, today’s announcement is also the result of more than half-a-century of activism by Canadian feminists.

The feminists of Quebec who showed us the way, all those years ago.

Judy LaMarsh, Laura Sabia, and Monique Bégin, who convinced the government to establish the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in 1967.

The feminists of Ontario—Morna Ballantyne, Martha Friendly, and Gordon Cleveland—who spent decades fighting for a universal, affordable and high quality child care system.

Ken Dryden and Paul Martin for their years of hard work at the federal level, as well as my colleague, Ahmed Hussen, who opened the door to our national early learning and child care system.

And to all of the many, many Canadian women, from coast-to-coast-to-coast, who fought for a national system of early learning and child care long before it had support,  who did not waver in the face of setback after setback… I want to say to them—to our foremothers—thank you very much.

We are transforming Canada with this system for the better— and we would not be here today without your work for more than five decades.

Thank you very much.