November 30 marked the National Child Care Day of Action, a day to celebrate progress and demand more for families and workers across Canada. Here in Saskatchewan, we’ve proven what collective advocacy can achieve.
After months of pressure from CUPE, child care workers, and community allies, the provincial government finally renewed the $10-a-day child care agreement. This wasn’t an act of goodwill – it was the result of relentless advocacy by workers and families who refused to accept delays.
Let’s be clear: signing the agreement is just the starting line.
The government has ignored, delayed, and failed to deliver on key improvements:
- Making wage enhancements permanent and extending them to all child care staff – not just ECEs
- Providing pension and benefits plans for child care workers
- Increasing operating budgets to keep centres sustainable
- Developing a real plan to create more public not for profit child care spaces, especially in rural communities
“The numbers speak for themselves. The government promised 28,000 new child care spaces by March 2026, but as of spring 2025 only 5,648 are operational – that’s just 20% of the goal,” said Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. “Meanwhile, Minister Hindley boasts about creating 91% of spaces. Families need more than press releases; they need real spaces.”
Peterson added, “Affordable child care means nothing if families can’t access it, and workers aren’t paid fairly. Contract renewal was only step one. Now it’s time for action on the promises that remain unfulfilled.”
CUPE is Saskatchewan’s child care union and will continue to advocate for a strong, publicly funded child care system that works for every family and child care worker. Visit skchildcareunion.ca.
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