Alberta subsidies slashed ahead of affordable child-care program

Child-care operators across Alberta are being told subsidies to low-income families are being cut.

Weeks before Alberta introduces the first phase of the federal affordable child-care program, child-care operators across the province are being told subsidies to low-income families are being cut.

Families receiving the maximum amount of provincial funding were getting $644 dollars per month to help them pay for child care. In 2022, that will fall to $266 per month.

“The subsidy wasn’t decreased, it’s just different,” Children’s Services Minister Rebecca Schulz told Global News Friday.

“Instead of only having a subsidy, we have to reduce child-care fees in every single licensed space across the province and so that requires an operating grant.”

Come January, child-care fees will be reduced in licensed facilities across Alberta. That is being done as part of a federal deal Alberta signed in November.

Families argue they weren’t aware that would mean they would receive less funding.

Single mom of one Jessica Hawkins currently receives the full provincial subsidy. While her fees will be cut in half come January, her subsidy will drop to $266.

After splitting the cost of daycare with her child’s father, Hawkins will save $66 per month. She was expecting to save more than $100.