(Ottawa) Federal and provincial sources say the Ontario government has signed a $10.2 billion child care deal with the federal government that will cut child care costs in the province in half by the end of the year. ‘year.
Posted at 8:32 p.m.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are expected to make an announcement on Monday in the Greater Toronto Area.
Sources from both governments with knowledge of the negotiations say the deal was signed on Sunday evening after intense final talks over the weekend. They spoke to The Canadian Press on the condition of not being named due to the sensitive nature of the talks.
The agreement reached with Ontario is the last needed to meet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s commitment to reduce child care costs to an average of $10 a day in every province and territory by the end of 2026.
Ontario expected more money. Despite this, provincial sources say they have been granted greater flexibility in when the funds are spent, which will allow them to meet the goal of reducing fees to an average of $10 per day as well as insurance. a review mechanism in the third year that will allow more money to be requested if there is a shortfall.
A federal official familiar with the deal said Ontario will reduce fees over the next few months by an average of 25% retroactive to 1er April and by 50% on average by the end of December.