Most of GTA now accepting applications for $10-a-day childcare
Licensed childcare facilities in the Greater Toronto Area are now able to apply for the Canada-wide $10-a-day program, bringing parents one step closer to their promised rebate cheques.
Ontario inked a deal with the federal government for $10-a-day childcare back in March and promised that fees would be reduced by up to 25 per cent to a minimum of $12 per day, retroactive to April 1.
Parents, the province said at the time, would start receiving rebate cheques as soon as May.
But until this week most childcare facilities in the GTA have been unable to sign up for the program. Officials said they needed to consult with licensed childcare operators and create an application process, resulting in delays.
On Wednesday, the City of Toronto announced it was finally ready to start accepting applications for the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care funding program.
The application process will open on June 23 and licenced child-care operators will have until Sept. 1 to opt in.
“Developing policies and the opt-in process for licensed child care operators for the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care funding program has been complex work, but I am excited that we are at the point where we can begin the application process,” General Manager of Toronto Children’s Services Shanley McNamme said in a statement.
“I encourage all licensed childcare providers to learn more about this funding and consider how it will support the families they serve.”
Eligible childcare operators must be licenced and should provide services for children under the age of six, or to those turning six as of June 30.
Further information about how to apply for the program can be found on the city’s website.
Once a facility has been approved under the program, parents of children at the daycare will be sent their rebate cheque.
The application process also opened in York and Peel regions this week. Durham was the only region in the GTA to start accepting applications earlier.
Before this week, only 11 municipalities in Ontario had opened up applications for the program, with at least one expert saying cities had to contend with an information vacuum following the joint agreement.
The $13.2 billion childcare program hopes to see fees reduced by 50 per cent by Jan. 1, 2023. Fees will continue to drop again in September 2024 before finally reaching $10 a day by the following year.
WIth files from Chris Fox
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.