Updated: April 2025 | bremo.io financial guides

$10/Day Daycare in Canada — Which Provinces Have It?

The federal government's Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program set an ambitious goal: reduce childcare fees to an average of $10 per day by 2026 for children under school age. Every province and territory has signed an agreement, but the pace of implementation and the actual cost to parents varies considerably by province.

The reality in 2025: Most provinces have achieved significant fee reductions — often 50% or more — but few have every regulated space at exactly $10/day. Wait lists for subsidized spots remain a major challenge.

Province-by-Province Status (2025)

Province/Territory	Agreement Signed	Typical Fee Reduction	Notes
Quebec	Separate system (CPE)	Long-established subsidized system	Different program, fees around $10–$15/day in CPE
Prince Edward Island	Yes	$10/day achieved in regulated centres	Smallest province, furthest along
Nova Scotia	Yes	~50% reduction from 2021 fees	Rolling out across regulated centres
New Brunswick	Yes	Significant reductions	Many centres at $20/day or less
Newfoundland	Yes	Significant reductions	Ongoing rollout
Ontario	Yes	~52% average reduction from 2021	Many Toronto spaces now $20–$30/day vs. $60+ before
Manitoba	Yes	~50% reduction	Ongoing expansion
Saskatchewan	Yes	Significant reductions	Eligible spaces in CWELCC program
Alberta	Yes	~50% reduction target	More complex rollout due to province structure
British Columbia	Yes	~50% reduction from peak	ChildCareBC partnerships

How the Program Works

The federal government provides funding to provinces and territories, which then flow it to regulated childcare operators. Not-for-profit operators receive more funding and are prioritized. Operators that join the program agree to cap their parent fees at the regulated rate.

Not every daycare has joined the program. Many for-profit centres have opted out, meaning parents at those centres don't see the fee reductions. When searching for daycare, specifically ask whether the centre is part of the CWELCC program.

The Wait List Problem

The biggest issue with $10/day childcare isn't the price — it's availability. In many cities, regulated subsidized spaces have wait lists of 1–3 years. Parents who want a subsidized space need to put their name on the list well before they plan to return from parental leave. Some families register as soon as they find out they're pregnant.

Tips for Finding a $10/Day Space

Register on the wait list at multiple centres — you can always decline an offer
Contact your local municipality or provincial childcare authority for a centralized registry
Ask your employer's HR department if there are any corporate daycare partnerships
Consider licensed home daycares, which may have shorter wait lists than centres
In some cities, new developments are required to include childcare spaces — newer neighbourhoods may have more availability

What to Do While Waiting

If you can't get a subsidized space immediately, your options include:

Unlicensed home daycare (not eligible for CWELCC fee caps, but may be less expensive than large centres)
Nanny or nanny-share arrangements
Family members providing care
Extending parental leave (using extended EI parental benefits at 33%)
One parent reducing work hours temporarily

The Childcare Tax Deduction

Even before you find a subsidized space, you can claim eligible childcare expenses as a deduction on your income tax return. This reduces your taxable income and lowers your tax bill, effectively subsidizing a portion of your childcare costs.

Free Banking — No Monthly Fees

KOHO offers free banking with no monthly fees. Use code 45ET55JSYA for a bonus.

Open KOHO Free — No Fees — Code 45ET55JSYA