'New phase of negotiations:' Ontario close to landing $10/day childcare deal
Ontario and the federal government have entered a “new phase of negotiations” that could see a $10-a-day childcare agreement reached within weeks, federal sources tell CTV News Toronto.
After months of negotiations Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the provincial government has handed over all the necessary documents required by the federal government that outlines how Ontario intends to reduce fees and create new childcare spaces with the federal funds.
“All details, all plans requested by the federal government are with them,” Lecce told reporters on Tuesday. “We look forward to getting this deal as soon as possible to save families money.”
A spokesperson for Karina Gould, the federal minister responsible for the child care file, said the Ontario government sent the first draft of the province’s action plan late last week and the plan now allows the two sides to start discussing the specifics of the deal.
“The submission of the first draft of the action plan has allowed for negotiations to move to the next phase where officials can now work to ensure that the plan meets federal objectives on space creation, affordability, data and reporting, workforce supports, inclusivity and quality within the parameters of the funding allocation for Ontario,” a spokesperson for Gould said.
When asked how quickly a deal could be signed, a federal source said other provinces were able to reach an agreement roughly three weeks after the government received the actions plan.
While Premier Doug Ford re-emphasized, on Tuesday, that the province is “very, very close to getting a deal” federal officials stressed that time is running out.
The federal government allocated $10.2 billion to help Ontario drive down the daily cost of childcare – more than a billion of which was intended for the 2021-22 fiscal year which ends of March 31.
Federal officials warned that if a deal isn’t reached before the end of the month the first-year funding could “lapse.” While the funding wouldn’t be pulled entirely, the federal government would have to embark on a complicated accounting process to reallocate the money to the 2022-23 fiscal year – making the Ontario deal unique compared to other provinces and territories.
Ford said the government remains committed to reaching a deal, but did not provide a timeline.
“We’re going to get this deal, Just stay tuned,” Ford told the Ontario legislature. “Hopefully it will be sooner than later.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
BREAKING Jury deliberations begin in Donald Trump's hush money criminal case
Jury deliberations began Wednesday in Donald Trump’s hush money trial, putting the outcome of the historic case in the hands of a dozen New Yorkers who have vowed to be fair and impartial in the face of their unprecedented task.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
P.E.I. kiteboarder 'lucky to be alive' after shark attack in Turks and Caicos
A professional kiteboarder from P.E.I. says he has been seriously injured in a shark attack that occurred while he was snorkelling in the Turks and Caicos Islands last week.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
What weather experts say to expect this summer in Canada
Get ready to feel the heat, Canada. Weather experts are predicting more sunshine and warmer temperatures for the summer.
Canada announces $11B for military aircraft training
Canada has announced an $11.2-billion contract to improve training platforms for the military, including the purchase of 70 training aircraft for the Future Aircrew Training program.
CNN exclusive: A federal grand jury may soon hear from Sean 'Diddy' Combs' accusers
Federal investigators are preparing to bring accusers of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs before a federal grand jury, two sources familiar with the probe tell CNN — signaling the U.S. Justice Department is moving toward potentially seeking an indictment of Combs.
In bizarre provocation, North Korea flies trash, manure balloons over the South
North Korea flew hundreds of balloons carrying trash and manure toward South Korea in one of its most bizarre provocations against its rival in years, prompting the South’s military to mobilize chemical and explosive response teams to recover objects and debris in different parts of the country.