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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.