Excerpts
Manitoba is not on track to meet its child-care commitments under a major federal-provincial agreement, according to a new report from the province’s Auditor General.
Manitoba committed to creating 23,000 new not-for-profit child-care spaces for children under seven by March 31, 2026.
Auditor General Tyson Shtykalo says the province lacks the planning, data, and long-term strategy needed to deliver on promises made through the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) Agreement.
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Lack of data hindering planning
A key concern raised in the audit is the province’s limited access to reliable data.
The report found that Manitoba does not have sufficient information on waitlists, demand, or space closures. Without that data, the department cannot accurately determine where new child-care spaces are most needed.
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Barriers to inclusive care
The report also examined access to inclusive child care for children who require additional supports.
While programs are in place, the audit found several barriers, including long wait times for diagnoses, reluctance among families to pursue assessments, and administrative challenges such as complex and repetitive paperwork.
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Recommendations for improvement
The 44-page report outlines seven recommendations aimed at improving planning, oversight, and equitable access.
Among them, the auditor general calls on the province to:
- Collect better data on waitlists and demand
- Strengthen its child-care demand model using historical and real-time data
- Develop a comprehensive action plan to address access gaps
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