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Reflection document [EN]
Reflection document [FR]
Québec's major reforms of child care
Building on the recommendations received in the public consultation on educational child care services earlier this year, the government of Québec introduced a bill that enacts major reforms to the child care system, including specifying the right of a child to receive educational childcare services as well as the obligation for the Minister of Families in ensuring the development of subsidized child care where there is inadequate supply. The Minister also presented an action plan committing at least three billion dollars ($1.8B in new spending) to creating 37,000 new subsidized spaces by March 31, 2025 including 1,000 spaces for Indigenous communities. While 19,000 spaces (including 3,500 non-subsidized spaces to be converted) are already underway, the government has launched a call for projects to create the remaining 17,000 spaces. This plan also includes an increase in the child care tax credit. This follows the government’s announcement about a raise of 12% to 17% in wages for early childhood educators in publicly funded programs (CPEs) as staff continue to strike and protest across the province amidst negotiations of a new contract.
An Act to amend the Educational Childcare Act to improve access to the educational childcare services network and complete its development
National Assembly of Québec, 2021
The Minister of Families introduced a bill to improve access to the Quebec's educational childcare services network and complete its development. The bill reinforces children’s right to receive quality educational childcare services by introducing the obligation for the Minister of Families to ensure the development of subsidized child care where there is inadequate supply. In addition, the bill amends the mechanism for assessing child care needs and assigning new subsidized spaces, repeals the provisions concerning unregulated home-based child care and introduces special rules allowing the Government to enter intro an agreement with an Aboriginal nation or community on any matter within the scope of the Educational Childcare Act or the regulations.
Plan d’action pour compléter le réseau des services de garde éducatifs à l’enfance
Ministère de la Famille, 21 October 2021
Building on the recommendations received in the public consultation on educational child care services in spring 2021, the government of Quebec announced an action plan that aims to improve availability, accessibility, and quality of the existing child care system, consolidate home-based child care services, and strengthen the workforce. The plan also includes proposed legislative changes that will enact major reforms to the publicly funded system and give the government special powers to fill necessary gaps in the system, like creating new subsidized spaces and monitoring the waiting list.