Ontario needs almost $2-billion to make $10-a-day child care a reality by 2026

Ontario is facing a shortfall of nearly $2-billion to maintain the $10-a-day child-care program next year, and fees may have to go up without additional funding from the province or the federal government, according to a new report on the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care program from the provincial Auditor-General.

The province’s agreement with Ottawa expires March 31. With six months to go, Ontario has not yet signed an extension, although it has agreed to an extension in principle.