The provincial government is looking to create more spaces for child care.
According to the minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade, Matt Jones, $53 million will be available over the next two years in the Building Blocks Capital Grant Program.
“It will provide capital grants for new or renovations of existing child care spaces. We have ambitious space creation targets, we need to create tens of thousands of spaces on the non for profit or public side and these grants will support those spaces being created. New spaces for the major capital grants stream of it and the renovation of existing spaces under the minor.”
Jones says their goal is to create 42,500 new child-care spaces by March 2026.
He says a growing population in Alberta has lead to more demand for child-care services.
“We have seen roughly 4.5% population growth in Alberta over the last 12 months. That does mean more families, more children, more child care is required. Our system right now is at about 88% utilization, but it typically is around over 90% and as high as 96%. That means that some parents are having difficulty accessing childcare.”
The minister adds that Alberta’s rural and remote communities will be a top priority for funding.
You can listen to the full interview below.
– Kyle Moore, Trending 55 Newsroom
