June 21, 2026 — Child Care Now Newfoundland and Labrador applauds the federal government’s announcement of new spending on early learning and child care, and says it’s proof that sustained advocacy works.
The federal government is investing an additional $5.4 billion over the next two years to strengthen the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system.
Child Care Now NL was part of a national coalition of child care advocates that lobbied federal MPs for this investment, including through direct meetings with MPs, a click-to-email initiative, and a Canada-wide campaign calling on the federal government to keep the child care promise.
“We have been calling for more federal investment in child care to ensure the continuation and strengthening of CWELCC, and this funding announcement shows that the federal government is listening,” said Patrice Gordon of Child Care Now NL. “Now it’s time for our provincial government to do the same.”
Child Care Now NL is calling on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to follow the federal government’s lead and increase its own spending in order to meet its commitments under the CWELCC agreement to create more non-profit $10-a-day child care spaces. Further, federal and provincial dollars must be used to introduce a competitive and fair compensation package for Early Childhood Educators.
Child Care Now NL looks forward to discussions with the province and federal government on how to ensure that Newfoundland and Labrador delivers on the promise of affordable, inclusive, and high quality child care for all.