Cold Lake Considers Funding Child Care Spaces
City aims to create 100 new spots amid provincial funding snub.
Cold Lake may invest up to $150,000 in local childcare, offering a potential solution after the province excluded the city from its priority funding list. The city hopes to create 100 new licensed childcare spaces.
Proposed Incentive Program
The Child Care Space Incentive Program emerged from discussions at a Corporate Priorities Committee meeting,according to City of Cold Lake CAO Kevin Nagoya. The program would allocate $1,500 per new licensed space, up to $30,000 per project, funded by the municipal budget.
Did you know? According to a 2023 report by the Canadian center for Policy Alternatives,the median monthly cost for infant care in Alberta’s major cities ranges from $1,000 to $1,400. Source
The City of Cold Lake seeks to assist both for-profit and non-profit operators with capital expenses related to building, expanding, or renovating their facilities. “It doesn’t matter wich approach that you take, childcare space is a childcare space,”
Nagoya said, emphasizing the goal of “maximum exposure”
with the 100-space program.
Provincial Funding Snub
On May 15, Cold Lake learned it was not selected for Alberta’s targeted childcare funding.City officials are challenging this decision. Nagoya stated that the omission of Cold Lake from the province’s list of community priorities is “quite problematic,”
given the community’s needs.
Cold Lake is seeking clarification from the province and plans to appeal directly to the Minister of Children and Family Services. “I think everybody in this room would disagree with [Cold Lake not being a priority] which is quite fascinating,”
Nagoya added.
Concerns and Clarifications
coun. Chris Vining voiced concerns that the city’s program might be less effective if the new childcare spaces do not qualify for provincial-federal subsidies. Nagoya clarified that the city’s grants would focus on capital costs, not operational expenses.
Pro Tip: When evaluating childcare options, consider factors beyond cost, such as staff qualifications, program curriculum, and safety protocols. Visit facilities and speak with current parents to gather insights.
He also noted that cold Lake’s higher construction costs, or the “Cold Lake factor,”
necessitate local support for childcare providers. “The grant that you see here this evening is to provide some sort of a capital grant to assist . . . irrespective of them being profit or not-for-profit status,”
he said. “Any dollar helps.”
Accountability and Budget
The policy includes accountability measures, with half of the grant issued after project completion and licensing. The remainder will be disbursed after a second report demonstrating ongoing compliance and impact.
Kristy Isert, General Manager of Corporate Services, announced that a budget amendment is scheduled for consideration at the council meeting on June 10.“Council will decide at that time where to fund the program from,”
she explained. “We are proposing that the initial portion of the program be funded from council contingency.”
Council approved a motion to approve the child Care Space Incentive Program Policy, as presented.