A breakdown of various child-care programs across the country

Ontario’s Liberal government, which is facing a spring election, has promised to offer free child care for preschool-age kids starting in 2020. Here’s a glance at what other provinces offer.

British Columbia — Last month, British Columbia introduced measures it described as a first step toward universal child care. The province pledged to spend an additional $1 billion on child care over the next three years to lower costs, increase the number of spaces and improve quality.

Alberta — Alberta’s Ministry of Children’s Services provides financial assistance to eligible lower-income families who use licensed care facilities. The subsidies vary based on the region, type of facility and age of the child. The maximum monthly subsidy is $714 monthly for infants in licensed day care in the northeast region of the province.

Saskatchewan — Saskatchewan’s government offers subsidies for child care on a sliding scale. The monthly subsidies go as high as $570 monthly for full-time care of infants in certain regions.

Manitoba— Manitoba provides annual operating grants to some licensed, non-profit child-care facilities, and sets maximum fee limits for their services. But facilities can choose not to accept the funding and can set their own rates.

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Quebec — Quebec has had a universal child care program for more than 20 years. It provides daycare spots at daily rates that start at $7.75 and go up to $21.20 per day depending on income. The program is intended for kids under five years old but also offers care to children over the age of five who don’t have access to school child care.

New Brunswick — New Brunswick provides free child care at designated Early Learning Centres to families with an annual gross income of $37,500 or less who have children aged five and under. Subsidies are available to parents making more than $37,500 on a sliding scale.

Nova Scotia — In Nova Scotia, subsidies are paid directly to the licensed centre or agency that parents choose, depending on a family’s income, finances and “social need.” Parents applying for a subsidy cannot have more than $50,000 in savings or liquid assets. They also have to be working, job searching, in school or have a “special need” within the family.

Newfoundland and Labrador — Newfoundland and Labrador offers child-care subsidies for low-income families who meet a set of criteria that includes income and assets. And some child care centres receive grants from the government, which limits the amount they can charge for care per day. The maximum those facilities can charge is $44 per day for infants, $33 daily for toddlers and $30 a day for kids up to 13.

Prince Edward Island — P.E.I. offers full and partial subsidies, depending on financial and social need. Families are evaluated based on income, work status, and medical needs.

Source: Provincial government websites

The Canadian Press