Early childhood educators (ECEs) in Ontario are facing some of the lowest wages in Canada, contributing to a severe workforce shortage, according to an advocacy group. The situation has created a “perfect storm,” with childcare programs forced to close rooms and limit enrollments at a time when there is increasing demand for affordable childcare services, warned Carolyn Ferns from the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care.
Ferns stated, “The childcare workforce crisis is causing local childcare programs to close rooms and limit enrollment at a time when more parents are hoping to gain access to affordable childcare spaces.” She added that this crisis was predictable and preventable had the government taken action to raise wages for Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) and childcare workers as recommended by the community years ago.
A position paper by the Ontario Coalition for Better Childcare and the Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario revealed that ECEs are currently earning approximately $19 per hour, with about 41 percent of childcare staff having no wage floor, adhering to Ontario’s minimum wage. Only Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories pay their ECEs less than Ontario.
In contrast, Yukon and Prince Edward Island are the highest-paying provinces and territories in Canada, offering $32.08 and $27.11 per hour, respectively.
Rachel Neville, an Ontario ECE who left her profession, shared her experience, stating that she used to bike to work because she couldn’t afford transit costs. The low wages forced her to leave a job she loved, as she was earning only $18 per hour and couldn’t even afford bus fare. She emphasized how the childcare system and low wages impacted her life significantly.
The Ontario government had previously agreed to establish a wage floor of $18 per hour for early childhood educators through its $10-a-day child-care deal, with incremental annual increases up to $25 per hour. However, there has been limited information provided about these wage increases since June.
When questioned about the status of wage increases for early childhood educators, Education Minister Stephen Lecce mentioned that details would be available “soon.” He also expressed a commitment to address the concerns raised by advocates and stabilize the workforce.
Advocates are urging for ECE wages to be increased to a range of $30 to $40 per hour, with a minimum of $25 per hour for other staff. They argue that without a significant wage increase, the successful implementation of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system, offering $10-a-day daycare, will face significant challenges.