News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

March 2, 2021

Province Announces First Intake for New Child Care Sustainability Trust

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Grants Will Support Access to Quality Child Care for Manitoba Families as Part of Pandemic Response: Squires

The Manitoba government is following through on a commitment set out in Budget 2020 to create a new $11.5-million Child Care Sustainability Trust to provide one-time grants to support innovative projects that will enhance access and inclusivity at child-care facilities, Families Minister Rochelle Squires announced today.

“As we continue to face the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, our government knows that access to quality child care that meets the needs of families is more important than ever,” said Squires. “The new Child Care Sustainability Trust will provide ongoing support to the sector and ensure parents have continued access to high-quality child care.”

The new trust will support eligible licensed child-care facilities by providing one-time grant funding for projects directed at:
• infrastructure improvements including major repairs to aging buildings, one-time support for unexpected events, and new or replacement equipment to improve indoor and outdoor play-based learning opportunities;
• program enhancements to improve quality, accessibility and inclusivity through new and innovative programming approaches, and physical improvements for accessible indoor or outdoor spaces; 
• new equipment and maintenance/replacement of aging equipment; and
• professional development and learning opportunities that enhance programming in innovative ways, such as culturally based or specialized training for children with additional needs.

The minister noted the new trust will be managed by The Winnipeg Foundation.

“Endowment funds are an effective solution to providing long-term funding to organizations,” said Rick Frost, CEO, The Winnipeg Foundation. “We are pleased the Manitoba government has chosen to work with the foundation on administration of this fund.”

Qualifying applicants will be eligible for up to $25,000 for licensed child-care centres and $10,000 for child-care homes. The intake for applications will begin March 9 and will close March 30.

“Our government is committed to supporting Manitobans to achieve their employment and education goals,” said Squires. “By providing grants that support a diverse variety of facility needs, this new trust will help ensure flexible and quality child-care services are available to Manitoba families as we continue to recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic together.”

For more information on Child Care Sustainability Trust grants or to apply, visit:
www.manitoba.ca/fs/childcare/resources/forms_apps.html.

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