The quiet crisis in Manitoba’s childcare sector reached a turning point yesterday as the provincial government announced wage increases for early childhood educators—a move educators call “long overdue” amid staffing shortages that have strained the system for years.
Premier Wab Kinew and Education Minister Nello Altomare unveiled a $51.2 million funding package that will boost wages for trained early childhood educators by up to $5.49 per hour, with increases rolling out in July and October.
“These are the folks who take care of our little ones during some of the most important developmental years,” Kinew said during the announcement at the Niigaanaki daycare in Winnipeg. “We’re making these investments because we value the important work that they do.”
The announcement comes as Manitoba’s childcare sector faces what many call an existential challenge. With vacancy rates hovering around 30 percent at centers across the province, families have endured waitlists stretching into years rather than months.
At Little Steps Learning Centre in Brandon, director Monica Ferguson describes the daily struggle. “We’ve been running with skeleton staff for almost three years. Some days we’ve had to call parents and tell them not to bring their children because we simply don’t have enough educators to meet provincial ratios.”
The wage increases will be structured in two phases, with trained ECE II workers seeing their hourly rates rise to $23.80 by October, up from the current average of $18.31. Child care assistants will see their wages climb to $16.75 per hour.
For Jodie Kehl, executive director of the Manitoba Child Care Association, the announcement represents a significant step forward. “This gets us closer to the $25-an-hour benchmark we’ve been advocating for, but we’re still behind provinces like Ontario and British Columbia.”
The funding arrives as part of Manitoba’s implementation of the federal-provincial agreement on early learning and childcare, which aims to create a $10-a-day childcare system across Canada by 2026.
What makes this announcement particularly significant is the broader economic context. A recent Manitoba Chamber of Commerce survey found that 67 percent of employers cited lack of childcare as a major barrier to workforce participation, particularly affecting women’s return to work after parental leave.
“When we can’t staff centers, it’s not just kids and families who suffer—it’s our entire economy,” says Shannon Worden, a policy analyst with the Manitoba Federation of Labour. “Parents—especially mothers—are forced to delay returning to work or take lower-paying jobs with more flexible hours.”
The wage increases address what educators describe as a vicious cycle. Low wages drive workers from the field, creating shortages that increase workload on remaining staff, further accelerating burnout and departures.
Sarah Paterson, who left the profession after eight years to work in retail, tells a common story. “I have a two-year diploma and was making less than my teenage son earned at his summer job. I loved the work but couldn’t pay my bills.”
The government estimates the funding will help retain approximately 3,500 early childhood educators while attracting new workers to the field. Critics note, however, that the increases still leave Manitoba educators earning less than counterparts in neighboring provinces.
Conservative education critic Renée Cable questioned the implementation timeline. “Families need solutions now, not in phases. This government promised bold action during the election, but centers are still understaffed today.”
Industry experts point to research showing quality early childhood education delivers significant social and economic returns. A TD Economics report estimated that every dollar invested in early childhood returns between $1.50 and $2.78 to the broader economy through increased workforce participation and better educational outcomes.
For parents like Winnipeg’s Marcus Chen, the changes can’t come soon enough. “We’ve been on seven waitlists for over a year. My wife had to turn down a promotion because we simply can’t find reliable childcare.”
The province also announced additional funding for childcare center operations and promised a review of the licensing and regulatory framework to reduce administrative burdens on centers.
Altomare emphasized the government’s commitment to building a sustainable system. “This isn’t just about wages. It’s about recognizing early childhood education as a profession and building a system that works for Manitoba families for generations to come.”
As the changes take effect, many observers note this represents one step in addressing a complex issue. Sustainable solutions will require continued investment in training programs, center infrastructure, and ongoing wage supports to ensure quality care remains accessible to all Manitoba families.
For now, educators like Winnipeg’s Aisha Morris are cautiously optimistic. “This means I might actually be able to stay in the field I love. Children deserve consistent caregivers, and finally, it seems like someone is listening.”
