Saskatchewan’s early learning and child care system is moving further away from the promise of affordable and accessible child care, according to CUPE Saskatchewan and child care advocates who gathered in Regina today to speak out against the Sask. Party’s recent cuts to child care funding and expansion.
Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan, warned that the Sask. Party’s decision to end tuition-free training for early childhood educators II and III, freeze the creation of new child care spaces, and introduce new fees for families will worsen existing challenges across the sector.
“Child care is often talked about as a service for parents, but it is much more than that,” said Peterson. “Child care is essential to Saskatchewan’s workforce and economy. When parents can’t find child care, they can’t fully participate in the workforce. Employers lose workers, families lose opportunities, and communities lose economic growth.”
Cara Werner, chair of Child Care Now Saskatchewan and a child care provider, said child care centres are already struggling with rising operating costs and funding that does not reflect the true cost of providing care.
“For years, families were told that child care would become more affordable, more accessible, and more sustainable,” said Werner. “Instead, the July 1 changes have moved us in the opposite direction. Families are struggling to find care, providers are facing growing financial pressures, and educators are questioning whether they can stay in the sector.”
CUPE Saskatchewan and Child Care Now are hosting a series of public town halls to discuss the solutions for strengthening and protecting child care in Saskatchewan. Today’s town hall will take place at the Regina Humane Society, 4900 Parliament Avenue, in Regina, beginning at 7 p.m.
“We are holding these town halls to hear from community members and work together on solutions,” said Peterson. “When child care doesn’t work, our economy doesn’t work. Investing in child care means investing in Saskatchewan’s workforce, supporting communities, and building a stronger future for our province.”
CUPE Saskatchewan and Child Care Now are calling on the Sask. Party government to reverse the July 1 cuts, restore affordability, expand child care spaces, conduct a full review of the funding model, and invest in a strong child care workforce.
CUPE is Saskatchewan’s child care union, representing more than 300 child care workers across the province and more than 12,000 across the country.