Most Toronto childcare centres have not yet signed on to $10-a-day care. Here’s why
With a Sept. 1 deadline approaching, most Toronto childcare centres have not yet signed on to deliver $10-a-day care.
Ontario’s $13.2 billion agreement with the federal government is structured in such a way that it puts the onus on municipalities to enrol licensed centres and agencies into the new system and distribute money, which will then be used to reduce the fees being charged to parents – by 25 per cent as of April 1 of this year and by 50 per cent as of Jan. 1 of next year.
Toronto’s registration portal opened June 6. The city tells CTV News Toronto that of its 1,042 licensed centres, 272 have opted in to the program while nine have opted out.
Eloise Morrison, supervisor at Scarborough’s Teach Me To Fly Preschool has opted in, but says the plan has created an “accounting nightmare” with lingering questions.
"I still don't have answers to give parents on when or why or how. That's frustrating for us," Morrison said.
Maggie Moser, CEO of Blossoming Minds Learning Centre on the Danforth explains that the current funding model would not be sufficient to help operators recoup monies lost to cutting fees for parents.
"The terms that we have now would definitely lead to bankrupcty," Moser warns.
Moser, a director with the Ontario Association of Independent Childcare Centres says none of their roughly 1,000 members have signed on to the program because of unaddressed concerns, including over funding into 2023 and beyond.
Operators aren't getting a concrete funding allotment until after they've opted in and presented with a contract.
"We're really being asked to sign onto a mortgage without knowing the interest rate," Moser said.
The city says opting in is only a starting point.
"Centres do have the ability to withdraw from the process if later down the road they decide that they're not interested," Shanley McNamee, general manager of Children Services for Toronto, said.
McNamee explains that checks and balances are required are sign-up to ensure provincial funding is being used for its intended purpose.
Moser worries about the particulars about an operator changing their mind and confusing parents.
"That's very disruptive to the business, to the system to parents' childcare. With everyone scrambling looking for spots, it's already making everyone highly stressed."
McNamee says the province has committed to discsusions this summer around a new funding model for 2023.
Moser feels the only one to create stability for existing operators is to have longer-term contracts.
"Where we know what funding we are getting and that we are getting virtually what we are giving up so that we're not the ones funding the system."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.