Question Period Note: THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR WORKFORCE

What federal investments are being made to support the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Workforce?

The federal government has invested over $27 billion to build a Canada-wide early learning and child care system.

Our provincial and territorial partners are working to support the development of a highly trained ELCC workforce, including through increasing wages and implementing pension plans.

However, more work needs to be done, which is why in July 2023, my provincial and territorial counterparts agreed to develop a multilateral ELCC workforce strategy so that, together, we can support the workforce that allows the rest of us to go to work.

As part of Budget 2021, the Government of Canada made a transformative investment of over $27 billion over five years to build a Canada-wide ELCC system with the provinces and territories (PTs). Through this, the Government of Canada has provided funding to provinces and territories to support the vision of a Canada-wide ELCC system where children in Canada have access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive child care no matter where they live. Prior to Budget 2021, and to help build the foundation of a Canada-wide ELCC system, the 2020 Fall Economic Statement (FES) announced the investment of $420 million in 2021-2022 to support the attraction and retention of early childhood educators (ECEs).

The recruitment and retention of qualified ECEs is a long-standing challenge across Canada, which has been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, general labour force shortages, and high inflation in 2022. For 2022, the Labour Force Survey reported the employment level among ECEs and Assistants as below pre-pandemic levels (2019), with approximately 15,700 fewer people, mostly women, working in this occupation compared to 2019. To address the persistent recruitment and retention challenges facing the ELCC sector, the federal government worked multilaterally with PTs to first identify the problems underpinning these challenges as well as potential outcomes.

This work was presented to Federal, Provincial, and Territorial (FPT) Ministers Most Responsible for ELCC as a Conceptual Frame for a Multilateral ELCC Workforce Strategy. At the July 2023 meeting of FPT Ministers Most Responsible for ELCC, Ministers agreed to develop a Canada-wide, multilateral workforce strategy for the ELCC workforce under the pillars of recruitment, retention, and recognition.

Current Canada-wide ELCC Agreements with PTs all contain commitments to support a qualified ELCC workforce, such as wage grids for educators and initiatives to increase the percentage of certified ECEs. Under the Canada-wide ELCC Agreements, six PTs have adopted a wage grid, and Ontario is implementing a wage floor and instituting wage improvements. The remaining jurisdictions have committed to developing a wage grid during the current term of the agreements, with the exception of Quebec, which has an asymmetrical agreement with the Government of Canada and had a wage grid in place prior to the signing of this agreement.

PTs maintain primary jurisdiction over the ECE workforce, their education and training requirements to work as a certified/registered ECEs and other labour-related considerations (e.g. wages and compensation). Several provinces and territories have announced new programs, grants, or supports for the ECE workforce over the past year using federal funding, whether through workforce or Canada-wide agreements. For example:

Nova Scotia:

Announced in February 2023, new funding for child care centres which includes increases to ECE wages with an added $1.50 per hour for ECEs with advanced practitioner program certificates.

Announced in May 2023, a new retirement savings plan and benefits for ECEs working in licensed child care facilities and family home agencies.

Newfoundland and Labrador:

Announced in March 2023, a new wage grid (effective April 1, 2023) with a base rate of $25/hour for level II ECEs who hold a 2-year diploma and scales appropriately based on training and years of experience.

Announced in August 2023, a new bonus of $5,178 for certified francophone early childhood educators working in regulated child care services.

Manitoba:

Announced in April 2023, increases to ECE wages effective July 1, 2023

Announced in June 2023, a $6M investment in ECE tuition reimbursement providing up to $5,000 per academic year.

Yukon:

Announced in May 2023, a First Nations “Understanding the Early Years” course, providing successful learners with a level I certificate to practice as an ECE.

Saskatchewan:

Announced in June 2023, a $12M investment to provide tuition free training for prospective and current ECEs.

Prince Edward Island:

Announced in August 2023, wage increases effective October 1, 2023 ranging from $0.50 to $1.75 per hour as well as the development of a Defined-Contribution pension plan.

On August 21, 2023, Prince Edward Island announced wage increases for ECEs and staff at designated Early Years Centres, effective October 1, 2023. Prince Edward Island also announced that the province will develop a defined contribution pension plan, subject to the approval of the 2023-2026 action plan. This was in addition to the previous wage increases for staff at Early Years Centres, including for ECEs, which took effect October 1, 2022.

British Columbia

Announced in October 2023, eligible ECEs working at participating licensed child care facilities will receive a $2-per-hour raise in January 2024, based on hours worked in December 2023, on top of the existing $4-per-hour raise.

Ontario

On November 16, 2023, Ontario launched its Child Care Workforce Strategy, supported by funding through the Canada-Ontario Canada-wide ELCC Agreement.

Starting in 2024, initiatives will include:

Increasing the starting wage for Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) employed by child care operators enrolled in the CWELCC system, to $23.86/hour in 2024 from the planned $20/hour, increasing to $25.86/hour by 2026

Extending the eligibility ceiling for the existing annual $1/hour increase so more RECEs can benefit

Supporting entry into the profession and career development

Cutting red tape for employers and providing more flexibility in staffing their programs

Launching a promotional campaign to bolster awareness and value of the child care profession.

If pressed on ECE shortages and child care centre closures in Ontario

The Government of Canada is aware of recent media reports about child care centres having to close due to shortages within the ELCC workforce.

The governments of Canada and Ontario are working together to ensure families across the province have access to high-quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive ELCC. 

The Government of Canada is working with all provinces and territories to advance a multilateral workforce strategy based on the pillars of recruitment, retention, and recognition.