More families in Cranbrook will have access to affordable and high-quality child care through 123 new licensed child care spaces.

“This is a huge milestone for families in Cranbrook, with the city’s first ChildCare BC New Spaces Fund project,” said Lisa Beare, B.C. Minister of Education and Child Care. “By working with our federal and municipal partners, we’re creating more affordable child care spaces that will empower parents to return to work or school while providing access to high-quality care for their little ones. These investments support families today, while building stronger, more connected communities for the future.”

The new spaces were made possible by more than $13.5 million through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund. This fund is jointly supported by provincial investments and federal funding under the 2021-22 to 2025-26 Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. B.C. and the federal government signed an extension to the agreement for 2026-27 until 2030-31.

“Our government made a commitment to Canadians to establish a nationwide early learning and child care system,” said Anna Gainey, federal Secretary of State for Children and Youth. “We’re delivering on that promise by investing in this new facility to make it a reality to families in and around Cranbrook. These new affordable child care spaces will get parents off the wait lists and ensure children receive the best possible start in life.”

This new child care centre will include 48 spaces for infant-toddlers and 75 spaces for children 3-5.

“Cranbrook has a very large, unfilled need for all-day child care and more before- and after-school care,” said Wayne Price, mayor of Cranbrook. “We are grateful for the support from the Government of B.C. and Government of Canada to help council and staff move this important initiative forward and to provide meaningful assistance to families in Cranbrook.”

When the new facilities are open, families will benefit from affordable child care fees through the Province’s fee-reduction program, which reduces the cost of child care by as much as $900 per child per month.

Since 2018, ChildCareBC’s space-creation programs have helped fund more than 41,500 new licensed child care spaces in B.C., with more than 26,200 of those spaces open. Funding the creation of new child care spaces is part of the Province’s ChildCareBC plan to build access to affordable, quality and inclusive child care for families.

Quotes:

Rohini Arora, B.C. parliamentary secretary for child care –

“This announcement is an important milestone for families in Cranbrook. We’re opening doors to more child care options that work for parents and give children a strong start. These new spaces will mean less time worrying about care and more time focusing on the things that matter to working people.”

Steve Morissette, MLA of Kootenay-Monashee –

“This is a proud day for Cranbrook as we welcome the city’s first provincially funded child care project. Rural parents have been asking for more affordable and reliable options close to home and we’re delivering just that. With support from our federal partners, these new spaces will make life easier for families and give their children the chance to learn and grow right here in their community.”

Learn More:

For more information about ChildCareBC, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/childcare

For more information about the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/childcare/newspacesfund

For more information about the Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/early-learning-child-care-agreement/agreements-provinces-territories/british-columbia-canada-wide-2021.html