Delivering on our promise of high-quality, inclusive, and affordable child care for families
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June 28, 2023
Toronto, Ontario
The Government of Canada’s early learning and child care plan is already putting money back in the pockets of Canadian families, while helping parents – particularly mothers – rejoin the workforce and grow our economy. In almost half of provinces and territories, we have already reached our goal of delivering $10-a-day child care for families – three years ahead of schedule. In all other provinces and territories, fees have been cut by at least half, and we are on track to achieve $10-a-day child care by 2026.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the establishment of the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund to help public and not-for-profit child care providers deliver affordable child care for families by funding the cost of physical infrastructure needed to create more spaces like real estate and building materials. This new Fund will provide an additional $625 million to provinces and territories to create spaces in communities that currently do not have enough of them.
The Fund will support child care spaces for underserved communities, including in rural and remote regions, high-cost and low-income urban neighbourhoods, and communities that face barriers to access, such as racialized groups, Indigenous Peoples, official language minority communities, newcomers, as well as parents, caregivers, and children with disabilities.
As we work towards making $10-a-day child care a reality for families across the country, we have committed to creating an additional 250,000 child care spaces. To achieve that goal, this funding will support the planning, design, construction, and renovation of non-profit child care spaces by provinces and territories. It will also provide the flexibility to invest in physical infrastructure for early learning and child care operators providing care during non-standard hours.
Across the country, our child care plan is already putting thousands of dollars back in the pockets of hardworking families. It is also growing our economy, with a record percentage of Canadian women currently in the workforce. The Government of Canada will continue to work with the provinces and territories, early learning and child care providers and educators, Indigenous Peoples, and other partners, on the road to making $10-a-day child care a reality right across the country.
Quotes
“Affordable child care is common sense. It’s good for parents and their kids, and it’s good for our economy. We have already made great progress, with thousands of child care spaces already created and a record percentage of women participating in the workforce. Confident countries invest in themselves and their future – and today’s announcement allows us to continue to build on this progress and deliver on our promise of $10-a-day child care for Canadian families.”
“We know that for many parents, finding child care spaces can be stressful, and often results in long waitlists. That is why space creation is a key pillar of our child care plan. The Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund will support child care providers so they can keep offering high-quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive early learning and child care across the country. We also know that our child care system would not be possible without the incredible early childhood workforce, and we will continue to work with provinces and territories to provide the supports and programs they need to succeed.”
Quick Facts
- The Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund aims to address concerns from provinces and territories related to infrastructure funding for not-for-profit and public providers, including the cost of real estate and building materials. The Fund will exclusively support not-for-profit and publicly regulated early learning and child care providers in recognition of the specific challenges they face in financing capital costs.
- The Fund takes into account the unique infrastructure challenges faced by territories, including the high cost of supplies, a shorter construction season, skilled workforce shortages, and a lack of municipal infrastructure, which leads to higher costs to build and renovate child care spaces.
- Through existing federal investments in a Canada-wide early learning and child care system, the Government of Canada is aiming to create approximately 250,000 new child care spaces through Canada-wide agreements with provinces and territories. These new spaces will be predominantly among licensed not-for-profit, public, and family-based child care providers.
- Quebec has been a pioneer in early learning and child care in Canada, and this new funding will be part of an asymmetrical agreement with the province of Quebec that will allow Quebec to further improve its child care system.
- Investments in child care will benefit all Canadians. Studies show that for every dollar invested in early childhood education, the broader economy receives between $1.50 and $2.80 in return.
- A recent report from TD Economics found that the labour force participation rate among women with children under the age of six has skyrocketed since the pandemic – with roughly 111,000 additional women working since 2020. This is closely correlated with improved access to affordable child care.
- As part of Budget 2021, the Government of Canada made a transformative investment of over $27 billion over five years to build a Canada-wide early learning and child care system with provinces and territories. Combined with other investments, including in Indigenous early learning and child care, up to $30 billion over five years will be provided in support of early learning and child care.
- A minimum of $9.2 billion will be provided on an ongoing basis, as of 2025-26, for early learning and child care and Indigenous early learning and child care.
Associated Links
- $10 a day child care for Canadian families
- Budget 2021: A Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan
- Budget 2022: Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund
- Early Learning and Child Care Agreements
June 27, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Mayor-elect of Toronto, Olivia Chow, to offer his congratulations on her election and to discuss shared priorities.
The Prime Minister and the Mayor-elect discussed their desire to work together on issues that make a real difference in people’s daily lives, such as improving public transit, increasing affordable housing, and supporting mental health.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Mayor-elect Chow looked forward to their future collaboration and hoped to meet in person soon to discuss the priorities of Torontonians, and all Canadians.
June 27, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Eid al-Adha:
“Tomorrow, Muslims across Canada and around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha, marking the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. One of the holiest dates in Islam, Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorates the story of the obedience and sacrifice of the Prophet Ibrahim.
“As families and friends across the country come together to pray, share meals, and share food with those in need, we can all be inspired by the values of sacrifice, compassion, and charity demonstrated by Muslim communities in Canada each and every day.
“We reaffirm that everyone in Canada and around the world should be free to practise their faith without fear. The federal government will continue to stand against Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms, supported by the ongoing efforts of Canada’s first Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, Amira Elghawaby. Together, we can build a Canada where everyone feels safe and respected.
“On behalf of our family, Sophie and I wish all those celebrating a wonderful Eid al-Adha.
"!عيد مبارك
“Eid Mubarak!”
June 26, 2023
Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, on the margins of the Nordic Prime Ministers’ meeting in Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland.
Prime Minister Trudeau congratulated Prime Minister Orpo on becoming Prime Minister and the recent formation of a government in Finland. The leaders discussed Prime Minister Orpo’s priorities for his newly formed government and the importance of continuing to work together in international forums.
Underscoring their ongoing support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal and unjustifiable invasion, the leaders emphasized the opportunity for additional co-operation in light of Finland’s recent accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The prime ministers reiterated their mutual support for Sweden’s accession to the Alliance later this summer.
The leaders acknowledged the strength of their bilateral relationship, particularly in the areas of technology and clean technology as well as mining. They highlighted notable shipbuilding investments between industry leaders in their two countries. They also underlined technological investments, such as Nokia’s recent investment in Canada.
As Canada and Finland work together to fight climate change, address energy insecurity, and build clean economies with good middle-class jobs, Prime Minister Trudeau extended his invitation to Prime Minister Orpo to join the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge. The Challenge serves as a flexible and powerful policy tool to align economic incentives with net-zero objectives.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Orpo looked forward to seeing each other again soon at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Associated Links
- Canada-Finland relations
- Prime Minister to travel to Iceland to participate in the Nordic Prime Ministers’ meeting
- Canada and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- National Shipbuilding Strategy
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
June 26, 2023
Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded his visit to Iceland, where he met with the leaders of Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland to continue strengthening ties and advancing key mutual priorities. The Nordic leaders focused on security in Europe and the Arctic, and reform and reconstruction in Ukraine, while fighting climate change, driving economic growth that benefits everyone, creating good middle-class jobs, and making life more affordable for people. The Prime Minister was invited to attend as a special guest.
While in Iceland, the Prime Minister endorsed a joint Canada-Nordic Leaders’ statement focused on enhancing co-operation in priority areas, including peace and security, climate action, and democracy and human rights. As transatlantic partners, the Nordic countries and Canada share inherent interests in our region and beyond as like-minded partners and friends.
In the face of the evolving internal security situation in Russia, the Prime Minister and the Nordic leaders reiterated their continued support for Ukraine. As the world continues to face the consequences of Russia’s brutal and unjustifiable invasion, Canada and the Nordic leaders affirmed their shared unwavering commitment to standing up for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders for as long as it takes. They welcomed the agreement on the new International Centre for Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA) in The Hague. The leaders expressed support for the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court’s investigations, as well as the Core Group’s ongoing work, to explore establishing a tribunal for the crime of aggression.
Prime Minister Trudeau underlined Canada’s efforts to strengthen democratic resilience and address challenges such as foreign interference, cyber incidents, online harms, disinformation, assaults on democracy, and emergency management. The Prime Minister highlighted Canada’s leadership of the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism, which fights misinformation and disinformation, and our efforts to support media freedom and advance responsible business conduct for Canadian companies operating abroad, and our joint efforts through the Freedom Online Coalition. He stressed the importance for Canada and Nordic countries to continue to work together to counter cyber threats, promote stability in cyberspace, uphold the rules-based international order, and impose costs on those who engage in malicious cyber activity.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for increased collaboration to better protect our oceans. Canada is an advocate for oceans through our work to set high standards for ocean conservation. The Prime Minister highlighted Canadian conservation efforts, including advocating for a high-level of ambition on ocean conservation through the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), where Canada played a key role, and advancing the recognition and use of nature-based solutions to address both climate change and biodiversity loss.
Canada and the Nordic leaders committed to continue to work together to advance global climate action to grow our economies and create good middle-class jobs. They agreed that pollution pricing is a very efficient way to do just that. The Prime Minister reiterated Canada’s call for all countries to adopt carbon pricing and work toward a collective goal of covering 60 per cent of global emissions by 2030 as outlined in the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge.
The Prime Minister emphasized Canada as a like-minded partner for the Nordic Region. We share many of the objectives outlined under the Nordic’s Vision 2030, including the commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. He positioned Canada as a trading partner of choice, particularly because of our growing clean economy, robust trade agreements, commitment to diverse and inclusive trade, and responsible business conduct abroad. Prime Minister Trudeau underscored Canada’s interest in responsibly and sustainably developing natural resources, while moving to a low-carbon economy. He highlighted Canada’s interest in partnering in the research and development of advanced technologies in carbon capture and storage and clean hydrogen, and on best practices for accelerating energy system transformations that cut emissions. He also underlined the Sustainable Critical Minerals Strategy as Canada’s blueprint to fostering resilient supply chains in the critical raw materials required to produce electric vehicle batteries and other clean technologies.
Quote
“Canada and Nordic countries are united in our values, friendship, and shared priorities. As we face an increasingly challenging and uncertain world, we must work together to strengthen our partnership and advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, human rights, protecting the environment, and finding new economic opportunities for our businesses and workers. Above all, we put people at the centre of everything we do, and I look forward to building on our partnerships for the benefit of all our countries.”
Quick Facts
- Prime Minister Trudeau is the first Canadian Prime Minister to attend a Nordic Prime Ministers’ Meeting (NPMM).
- The Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre and the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson.
- Canada’s objectives in the Arctic are advanced through the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework (ANPF), which was co-developed with Canadian territorial, provincial, and Indigenous partners.
- During the NPMM, the leaders’ agreed that their foreign ministers will meet in a Nordic-Canada strategic dialogue format in the near future.
- The Prime Minister toured Carbfix, a woman-led Icelandic company that has developed a novel and cost-effective approach to capturing and storing CO₂, where he held in-depth discussions to learn from Iceland’s clean energy expertise, and underscored Canada’s commitment to building a clean energy economy.
- Canada has welcomed several significant investments from the Nordic region over the past year and Canadian businesses are investing in the Nordics, creating more opportunities for Canadian and Nordic businesses and enhancing the resilience and security of our supply chains. For example, last year, Finnish tech company Nokia announced plans to expand its Ottawa facility, which was also supported with funding from the federal government.
- In 2021, Canada launched the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge. This partnership aims to expand the use of pollution pricing by strengthening existing systems and supporting emerging ones. The Challenge also serves as a forum for dialogue and coordination to make pricing systems more effective and compatible and to support other countries in adopting carbon pricing and cutting emissions on the path to net-zero by 2050.
- Iceland holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2023.
- Canada has longstanding ties and shared values with all the Nordic countries.
- Close to 1.3 million Canadians identified as being of Nordic descent in the 2021 census.
- Combined, the Nordic countries are the world’s 12th largest economy ($2.42 trillion GDP) and 7th most affluent.
- Merchandise trade between Canada and the Nordic countries was $13.6 billion in 2022. Total trade, including services, was $17.3 billion.
Related Products
- Prime Minister to travel to Iceland to participate in the Nordic Prime Ministers’ meeting
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Iceland Katrín Jakobsdóttir
Associated Links
June 25, 2023
Selfoss, Iceland
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to resist Russia’s brutal and unjustifiable aggression.
The two leaders discussed Ukraine’s ongoing military and economic needs, as well as Canada’s continued contributions to strengthening Ukraine’s security and stability. The Prime Minister reiterated Canada’s commitment to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
The Prime Minister and the President discussed the evolving security situation in Russia, which they continue to follow closely.
The two leaders reaffirmed their intention to remain in close and regular contact.
Associated Links
- Prime Minister visits Kyiv, Ukraine
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convenes the Incident Response Group to discuss the security situation in Russia
June 24, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened the Incident Response Group with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly, Minister of National Defence Anita Anand, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety Marco E. L. Mendicino, and senior officials to discuss the evolving internal security situation in Russia.
The Group considered the latest developments in Russia, discussed ongoing coordination with international partners, and assessed the implications for Canadians and Canadian personnel. The Group agreed to continue monitoring the situation and to maintain close engagement with allies and partners.
June 24, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on la Fête nationale du Québec:
“On la Fête nationale du Québec, my family and I join millions of Quebecers and Canadians across the country in celebrating the unique culture, identity, and influence of Québec.
“With a unique character and a rich heritage, Québec has been an integral part of Canada since its founding. The talent as well as the artistic, scientific, and economic contributions of Quebecers, both here at home and abroad, are a source of pride for all Canadians.
“The French language – the first official language of nearly a quarter of people in our country – is a cultural pillar of Quebec and Canada as a whole, and we must continue to promote and protect it. Bill C-13, which received Royal Assent earlier this week, enacts the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and makes related amendments to other Acts with the goal to modernize, strengthen, and better protect Canada’s language regime. Earlier this year, we also unveiled the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028, which targets the substantive equality of French and English in the country. The Government of Canada is deeply committed to bilingualism and will continue to preserve the role of French within Canada’s identity.
“Today, with one voice, we celebrate the past, present, and future achievements of Quebec. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish all Quebecers a wonderful Fête nationale. Let us be proud of who we are and what we’ve accomplished, and let us continue our work to build a better future for everyone.”
June 23, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism:
“Today, Canadians stand united to honour lives tragically lost to acts of terror. We also recognize the strength, resilience, and powerful voices of those who have survived and bravely shared their stories.
“Thirty-eight years ago today, en route from Canada to the United Kingdom, a bomb exploded on Air India Flight 182 – a terrorist attack that shook our country to its core. This hateful act – the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history – killed all 329 people on board, including 280 Canadians, and forever altered the lives of their families and loved ones who continue to live with the pain of their absence every day.
“Terrorism seeks to instill fear, division, and hatred within our communities. We can never allow the actions of a few to overshadow the values of peace, tolerance, and diversity that define our society and unite us as Canadians.
“Today offers an opportunity to reflect on how we can continue to defend peace and security and promote human rights here at home and around the world. It is also an opportunity to express our profound gratitude to the first responders, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, members of law enforcement agencies, and the countless others who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I reaffirm our commitment to stand against terrorism in all its forms. Today, and every day, we can all embody the Canadian values of diversity, compassion, and empathy to honour the memory of those we have lost and build a safer country for everyone.”
