Sign the Deal: Extending the Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care Agreement to 2031 - by Councillor Alejandra Bravo, seconded by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie

Continued investment in child care and early learning from the provincial and federal governments is essential to meeting the City's goals. Without an agreement to extend funding beyond 2026, families will see child care fees rise, creation of new spaces will slow, and our city will lose the important social and economic benefits that access to child care provides. The affordable child care delivered through the Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care Agreement is important for families. It was encouraging to see the recent agreement-in-principle between the Government of Canada and Province of Ontario for $16.77 billion for 2026-2027 until 2030-2031. However, a final deal has not been signed. Now, we need the federal and provincial governments to sign the deal and deliver the certainty that Toronto families are looking for in these economically uncertain times.