One-time payment, wage-top up coming to Alberta's early childhood educators
Early childhood educators (ECEs) in Alberta will receive a one-time payment and a wage top-up in an effort to recruit and retain staff.
The province says ECEs are crucial to the Alberta economy so parents have peace of mind while they work.
Existing wage top-ups for all paid hours will increase as of Jan. 1, 2023 by up to $2 per hour.
“The Government of Alberta supports parental choice in childcare and the workers who help provide it,” said Mickey Amery, minister of children’s services. “This announcement will help retain staff who are currently caring for our children, and attract new workers in child care. Because every dollar matters, this one-time payment will provide affordability relief for these hardworking Albertans heading into Christmas and the new year.”
ECEs who worked an average of 30 hours and up per week and continue to work in December will also be eligible to receive a one-time payment of $900.
Those working fewer than 30 hours per week will receive a $450 payment.
The payments will come from an investment of about $13.3 million in federal funding.
The province says it will also invest $2.72 million in provincial funding for the same one-time payments for certified ECEs working in out-of-school care programs.
Wage top-ups for ECEs will come from an investment of $165 million in federal funding, while top-ups for ECEs in out-of-school programs will be funded by the province at a cost of about $22.4 million.
“We could not build our Canada-wide early learning and child-care system without the dedicated workforce of early childhood educators,” said Karina Gould, federal minister of families, children and social development. “The Government of Canada is committed to supporting early childhood educators and the announcement in Alberta, including significant federal funding, is an essential step in ensuring the work of these professional educators is valued.”
In an effort to attract new ECEs, the provincial and federal governments have doubled the enrolment capacity for the free Level 1 child care orientation course and made the course available to anyone in Alberta, not just those currently working in child care.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.