Alberta and Saskatchewan are the only Premiers who haven’t signed on to extend the $10 per day daycare program for an extra five years, beginning next year. Ontario has an agreement in Principle but also hasn’t signed on yet. The federal government is trying to get the agreements in order prior to an election.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the five-year deals with each province and territory not only include funding for childcare. The base funding will rise three per cent for four years beginning in 2027 to help keep pace with rising costs.

A news release from the Saskatchewan NDP says the Sask Party government’s inaction on childcare will cost jobs, because affordable, accessible childcare is critical for families. Without the funding childcare works could lose their jobs and fewer families will be able to afford the service.

Shadow Minister for Childcare and Early Learning, Joan Pratchler, says the provincial government refused to join the national school food program and now they’re ignoring a childcare crisis. On February 17th, childcare advocates wrote to Education Minister Everett Hindley urging action, but the NDP says there has been no response.

Here is that letter: letter to Minister Hindley

CUPE Saskatchewan is also warning that residents may not be able to benefit from $10/day daycare in the future. CUPE released a statement today (Thurs), explaining that the federal government’s current agreement expires at the end of March 2026, and Saskatchewan is one of only two provinces that have not signed a renewal agreement.

Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan, says “Scott Moe is leaving approximately 1 billion dollars for affordability measures on the table. This decision ultimately hurts families and workers, and will certainty hurt the economy.”