Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So my questions today are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. So the other day in the House I spoke to the fact that in the past the government has had to step in when nonprofits collapse and they're providing essential social services. So if the largest nonprofit daycares in our regional centres are forced to shut down because they're no longer financially viable, is the government prepared to take over the operation of these daycares? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, no, the GNWT does not intend to take over operation of licensed programs and nor do I think it's really needed at this point. ECE is committed to providing sustainable funding, and I am committed to the relationship with child care providers and finding out what it is that they need and how we can support one another. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks to the Minister for making that clear. So can the Minister recommend ways that child care providers can successfully attract and retain staff given that the government's proposed wage grid is well below salaries for comparable positions in early learning in NWT communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think it's worth noting that between 2021 and sorry, Mr. Speaker, I want to be able to provide a little bit of extra information for this response.
Between 20212022 and 20252026, ECE, along with the Government of Canada, is investing just over $112 million into the child care sector. I heard the Member during her Member's statement speak about current negotiations. Current negotiations are in regards to infrastructure funding in the 20242025 year. Funding changes will happen where all programs will receive an increase in total funding compared to the current fiscal year. And it's also worth noting that effective April 1st, existing licensed program operators that charge fees below the maximum fee for newly licensed facilities will be able to increase their fees between 0 and 6 percent up to the prescribed monthly maximum.
So one of my recommendations, right now, ECE is working on the wage grid. They did consultations and engagement with the sector last year and also in the beginning of this year, they came back with what they've done so far. And a wage grid is a huge part of this, Mr. Speaker. There is still a gap, and that is acknowledged for sure in this sector between early childhood educators and the junior kindergarten and kindergarten educators as well and education assistants in the school. But wage grid and the new funding mechanism are really going to be those key pieces, and I look forward to continuing to work with the sector to see what we can do together to meet in the middle there. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So given that three large child care providers are considering opting out of the funding formula, does the Minister have concerns that this could leave us with a segregated system where some parents are forced to pay much more than they currently do? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can say that I'm definitely concerned, which is why I'm putting effort into creating a relationship and sustaining a relationship with the NWT Early Childhood Association. I really want to make sure that we're hearing their concerns, that we are doing our best to respond to them within the budget that we do have. And we do have a fixed budget within this program. ECE is a major funding source for licensed programs. So I really hope that we can keep everybody together and working together in order to rebuild or to build a robust system because I think that at the end of the day, we are stronger working together and that we do share common goals, and I think that's really important. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So thank you, Mr. Speaker. So given that fixed amount that the Minister referred to, will the Minister commit to including the NWT Early Childhood Association or child care providers in any future negotiations with the federal government about child care funding agreements? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our funding agreements are agreements that are reflective of what generally other jurisdictions are also receiving. They're an agreement that happened between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada. I think that communicating those agreements, once they are set, is really important which is why I really want to continue to work with all stakeholders in this sector, and I'm absolutely committed to those relationships. And I'm also committed to ensuring that our childhood or child care sector is sustainable because I truly believe that we as an Assembly have set this as a priority in that it building a strong economic foundation is absolutely reliant on child care, and so I'm committed to seeing this be successful. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Oral questions. Member from Tu NedheWiilideh.
