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Saskatchewan and Manitoba have seen slower growth in regulated early childhood education and care spaces compared with other provinces, according to a new national report.
The Interim Space Statistics 2024 report from the Childcare Resource and Research Unit reveals that Saskatchewan added fewer than 1,900 new regulated spaces for children up to age 12 between 2019 and 2024, placing it among the provinces with the lowest increases. Manitoba’s growth was somewhat stronger, with more than 5,800 new spaces created during the same period.
By comparison, British Columbia added more than 54,000 spaces and Alberta nearly 36,000. Ontario led the country with over 76,000 new regulated spaces.
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While the interim data highlights slower growth in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, experts say long-term success depends on factors beyond space creation, such as workforce stability, training, infrastructure investment, and equitable access in rural and Indigenous communities.
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