Early childhood educators in Manitoba are seeing significant wage gains as part of a joint federal-provincial effort to strengthen the child-care system and expand access for families.
The governments of Canada and Manitoba announced that wage increases introduced through a new provincial wage grid have boosted pay for early childhood educators (ECEs) by as much as $7 per hour over the past two years, depending on certification level and facility size. The updated wage grid took effect April 1.
Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt said the increases are part of a broader strategy aimed at growing the workforce and supporting the expansion of licensed child-care spaces.
“The Manitoba government is delivering more high-quality child care for families across the province for children up to age 12,” Schmidt said in a release, noting that nearly 1,200 additional educators have joined the sector.
The wage enhancements apply to ECEs, child-care assistants and home-based providers working in licensed and funded facilities. They build on previous increases introduced to address long-standing wage gaps in the sector.
Federal Secretary of State for Children and Youth Anna Gainey said the investment reflects a continued commitment to strengthening early learning and child care across the country.
In addition to wage increases, the province will provide a two per cent funding boost — totalling $14.3 million — to support wages at licensed facilities. Base operating grants will also rise by one per cent, adding $4.7 million to help centres manage day-to-day costs.
Sector leaders say the funding is critical to stabilizing the workforce.
Jodie Kehl, executive director of the Manitoba Child Care Association, said competitive wages are key to improving retention and maintaining quality care.
“Fair and competitive compensation is essential to stabilizing the workforce, strengthening retention and sustaining high-quality early learning and child care,” she said.
The announcement also includes more than $14 million over two years to extend training programs at five post-secondary institutions, supporting 327 expanded seats for ECE students. The funding builds on a previous $24-million investment made in 2023 to grow training capacity.
Officials say expanding training opportunities is necessary to meet growing demand for child-care spaces across Manitoba.
The investments are part of the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, first signed in 2021. Under the agreement, Ottawa committed approximately $1.2 billion over five years to reduce parent fees to an average of $10 per day and increase access to licensed care. A 2025 extension added $1.9 billion in funding through 2031.
Government officials say the combined measures — higher wages, increased operating funding and expanded training — are intended to ensure child care remains accessible, affordable and sustainable for Manitoba families.
