National

Trudeau aiming to secure extension to 2031 for signature $10-a-day child-care program

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Mar, 2025 11:37 AM

The federal government is trying to secure extensions through to 2031 for its national $10-a-day child-care program ahead of an expected election.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that 11 provinces and territories have agreed to extend the deals that give those jurisdictions billions of dollars to cut child-care fees for families.

Eight provinces and territories have lowered the fees that parents pay to an average of $10 a day or less, while the remaining ones have reduced fees by at least 50 per cent and are working toward $10 a day.

The extensions will see the funding increase by three per cent per year for the four years of extensions, at a cost of $36.8 billion including some infrastructure funding.

Trudeau says he wants to ensure no future government could dismantle the program.

The Liberals are set to elect a new leader Sunday to replace Trudeau, and an election could be called at any time after that.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Truckers scramble for new routes as tariffs bring shipments to a halt

Trucking companies are halting shipments, mulling layoffs and scrambling for new routes as tariffs wreak havoc on cross-border trade. The lead-up to U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports as well as retaliatory duties from Canada that took effect Tuesday prompted a surge in deliveries over the past two months as shippers raced to beat the deadline.

Truckers scramble for new routes as tariffs bring shipments to a halt

Here's the latest as the U.S. imposes tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico

U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico — a 25 per cent across-the-board levy, with a lower 10 per cent charge on Canadian energy — triggering a continental trade war. Here is the latest news (all times eastern):

Here's the latest as the U.S. imposes tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico

Trump announces one-month pause on Mexican tariffs, no move on Canada

U.S. President Donald Trump says Mexico will get a one-month pause on tariffs for imports under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade. In a social media post, Trump says he made the decision after speaking with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum today, adding Mexico has worked with the U.S. on border security.

Trump announces one-month pause on Mexican tariffs, no move on Canada

B.C. signs $670-million pharmacare agreement with federal government

The British Columbia and federal governments have signed a four-year, $670-million pharmacare agreement, giving universal access to contraceptive and diabetes medications. The plan will support nearly 550,000 B.C. residents with diabetes and provide 1.3 million people with a range of contraceptives.

B.C. signs $670-million pharmacare agreement with federal government

Another earthquake felt on B.C.'s south coast, third in two weeks

Another earthquake has shaken Victoria, becoming at least the third felt in British Columbia's capital in less than two weeks. Earthquakes Canada says the magnitude 3.9 earthquake occurred about 58 kilometres south of Victoria, at 4:18 p.m. on Wednesday.

Another earthquake felt on B.C.'s south coast, third in two weeks

Eby says B.C. making contingency plans to reduce reliance on U.S. electricity

British Columbia Premier David Eby says the government is making contingency plans to reduce the province's reliance on electricity from the United States after the start of the continental trade war. The premier said B.C. had been forced into contingency planning after Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened to cut off electricity it provides three border states, resulting in concerns the U.S. could respond in kind.