Committed to bringing $10-a-day child care to Ontario
Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and all parents should have the ability to build both a family and career. Eight months since announcing our plan for $10-a-day child care, eight provinces and one territory have signed onto the agreement, including Alberta.
As we have seen in this pandemic, quality and affordable child care is needed to ensure parents can fully participate in the economy. Our bold child care plan will also create jobs in Canada for early learning educators.
I recognize the urgency of families in Scarborough-Rouge Park, and can assure them that this government is committed to bringing safe, affordable and nurturing child care to Ontario. We will work with the remaining provinces and territories to halve the average cost of child care by the end of 2022 and reach a $10-a-day framework by 2026 or earlier.
Reflections on COP26
From record-breaking heat waves last summer to the recent floods in British Columbia, we as Canadians know that there is no greater threat than climate change. The COP26 Summit came at a critical junction, emphasizing the need for countries to work together and to address the climate crisis.
Since 2015, Canada has successfully placed a price on pollution, made huge investments in climate finance, created new middle-class jobs, and much more. In Glasgow, Prime Minister Trudeau affirmed Canada’s bold roadmap to net-zero emissions by 2050:
- Phase out conventional coal-fired electricity by 2030 and introduce a ban on the exporting of coal.
- Cut methane emissions in the oil and gas sector by at least 75 percent below 2012 levels by 2030.
- Investments of up to $57.5 million to help the poorest and most vulnerable nations adapt to the climate crisis.
- Maintain ambitious carbon pricing price trajectory to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, while putting more money in the pockets of Canadians.
I am confident that we will continue to take real climate action to safeguard our beloved green spaces and shorelines while creating new middle-class jobs for Canadians.
Remembrance Day:
This Remembrance Day, I joined Canadians in honouring our men and women in uniform, both past and present, for serving their country with valour, distinction and enormous sacrifice. Serving is no easy task. From supporting our long-term care homes in the throes of the pandemic to serving as peacekeepers in war-torn countries, our service members truly represent the best of what it means to be Canadian. I had the privilege of paying my respects to veterans at the Toronto Zoo Remembrance Ceremony and my visit to Legion Branch 258.
I am proud that our Veterans Organizations Emergency Support fund has been able to help over 40 organizations address the needs of veterans and their families during the pandemic. To all our service members, our veterans and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, you forever have our sincere gratitude. Lest we forget.
Vaccines for Children
Even as we continue to rebuild from the pandemic, Canadians know that keeping each other safe and finishing the fight against COVID-19 requires continued immunization. After a thorough, independent review, Health Canada has authorized the use of COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11. This is an important step that will protect our children and allow us to safely emerge from this pandemic.
Our government is in the process of delivering 2.9 million paediatric vaccine doses, enough to give every child aged 5 to 11 their first dose. I encourage all parents and guardians to vaccinate their children, and register on the provincial booking system, to keep their young ones safe and healthy.