Touting his government's recent pre-election promise for free licenced child care for preschool children, Sudbury MPP and Ontario Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault visited the day care facility at Churchill Public School on Friday morning.
Last month, the Liberals announced a $2.2-billion plan that would fund the cost of full-day, licenced child care for children once they turn two-and-a-half until they're available for full-day kindergarten.
The $930-million measure would be implemented starting in 2020.
An additional $162.5 million over three years is also being invested to increase access to licenced child care, support fee reductions and reduce or eliminate fee-subsidy wait lists.
Thibeault said eliminating child care fees for preschool-aged children will save parents about $17,000 a year.
But opponents, including Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath, have criticized the plan for not helping parents with children younger than two-and-a-half.
The government said it is focusing on preschoolers because it's this age where the largest number of families are looking for child care.
“The studies have shown and the experts have told our government the investment that we should be making into child care happen between the ages of 2.5 and four,” Thibeault said. “That's when most families start returning to work."
Sylvie Montpellier, vice-president of community programs at YMCA of Northeastern Ontario, didn't want to comment on the scope of the free daycare program, but said she is pleased the province is investing in licensed daycare.
“It's always great news when governments invest in child care and early childhood development,” Montpellier said.
