A report from Manitoba’s auditor general, Tyson Shtykalo, found the province is unlikely to meet its child-care targets, including those on inclusivity, by the initial deadline of March 31.
The program was established when Manitoba entered the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement with the federal government in 2021. The program’s aim is to ensure child care is affordable across Canada, earning its $10-a-day child care nickname.
“Manitoba is unlikely to meet its target by this date. The CWELCC Agreement has been extended to 2030-31,” according to a statement from Shtykalo’s office.
The office’s review of the provincial government’s implementation found a lack of sufficient data, poor long-term planning, and staffing shortages due to low retention and poor employee satisfaction.
“Affordable child care only matters if parents can get a space,” Shtykalo said in a statement accompanying the report.
“Currently, Manitoba lacks the data and long-term planning to understand where those spaces are most required, so decisions tend to focus on immediate pressures rather than a strategic path forward.”
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His office’s report included several recommendations for the Department of Education and Early Childhood Education – including gathering additional data, as currently it is optional for Manitoban daycares to record wait-list numbers. Though those who are keeping track may still not be able to keep up with the demand.
“In my centre alone, we have over 500 children on our waiting list. We don’t have the physical space; we don’t have the educators to support that kind of system. There’s a very slim chance that you’re going to get your child in to care at my centre, and generally any around Winnipeg or the surrounding communities,” explained Mariella Carr, the executive director at the Prairie Nature Children’s Centre.
The auditor general also called on the department to improve its future planning, instead of focusing on “immediate pressures.”
Improving equity within child care for youth with individualized needs was also recommended, as was tracking employment and risk analyses, and analyzing why families who were approved for the program chose other options.
“We recommend the department establish clear actions and timelines for verifying that expenses were eligible for the EDI (Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion) grant, and addressing any ineligible expenses identified,” the report reads.
The department was said to have accepted all seven of the auditor general’s recommendations.
“There’ll be thousands of spaces here added in Manitoba. More than 2,000 spaces in 2026 and Manitobans can expect that growth to continue well into the future not only because of the spaces we’re making, but because of the investments we’re making in the childcare sector,” said the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning, Tracy Schmidt.
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