The investment will improve access for families in the Ottawa area to childcare services.

The Government of Ontario is working to increase the number of licensed childcare spaces in the City of Ottawa with an investment of more than $178 million in 2023 to support the implementation of the Canadian Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) system.

This financial assistance significantly reduces childcare costs, by an average of 50%, for families in Ottawa, providing families with an annual average savings of $6,000 to $10,000 per child.

By 2026, approximately 2,900 licensed childcare spaces will be created in Ottawa. These new spaces for children aged 0-5 represent a 9.4% increase in available childcare spaces in the community, which will help improve access for more families to childcare in the area.

Minister of Education Stephen Lecce said: “We are directly helping families save money while improving access to childcare spaces for families in Ottawa. Our government firmly believes that the cost of childcare should not equal a mortgage payment; that is why we have taken steps to make childcare affordable for all groups. In addition to reducing childcare costs by 50%, we are proud to add spaces so that more families in Ottawa can benefit from these services and save money.”

These new spaces in Ottawa are in addition to the 29,601 childcare spaces registered in the ELCC system last year.

In the same context, Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, said: “We know that creating childcare spaces is critical to the success of the early learning and childcare system across Canada. This is an important measure for families in Ottawa who rely on childcare close to home and work. By working cooperatively with the Government of Ontario, we are making high-quality, affordable, and inclusive childcare a reality in the province.”

Ontario remains committed to the success of the ELCC Centre and will continue to work with municipalities and industry to ensure affordable childcare is provided in communities where it is most needed.