Montreal

Publicly funded daycare to cost more for high-income families: report

Chances are Quebecers will soon be paying more for daycare.

Families making more than $75,000 per year could pay higher daycare fees, according to a report in Le Devoir

Parents may have to pay more for Quebec daycares, according to a report by Le Devoir (CBC)

Chances are Quebecers will soon be paying more for daycare.

Premier Philippe Couillard told the National Assembly change is on the way after a leaked internal cabinet document shows the government is looking at ending its $7-a-day daycare program. 

Le Devoir is reporting the government is planning to charge families who earn more to pay more for daycare services. It says the information comes from an internal cabinet document.

The report says Quebec parents whose children go to subsidized daycare could see a hike in fees, starting this spring.

In September, CBC reported the possibility of a sliding-scale plan after a source told sister station Radio-Canada that it could happen sooner than later.

Couillard not answering

When asked Wednesday morning in the National Assembly, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard wouldn't answer other than to say he would “ensure that it will be fair and equitable for all people, according to their income.”

“We will have the opportunity to discuss details during deliberations,” he said.

Charbonneau says the Le Devoir report is based on speculation and that no final decision has been made.

She says several scenarios are on the table to strengthen the system.

Opposition parties say increasing fees would hurt Quebec families.

The  Association québécoise des centres de la petite​ enfance (CPEs) has already said it will plan protests to oppose the changes.