As clock ticks toward Ontario child-care deal expiry, advocates call for certainty

Ontario's deal with the federal government to operate a $10-a-day child-care system in the province is set to expire in five months and some advocates, operators and parents say they need certainty now.

Most provinces and territories signed extensions with the federal government before this year's federal election, but Ontario only signed an agreement-in-principle to continue the program, which is set to expire on March 31.

Education Minister Paul Calandra says the province needs to first address a shortfall of $2 billion per year that would occur if the current funding structure is left in place.

The parent fees at Ontario daycare centres in the program are currently capped at $22 a day, as an interim step toward the $10-a-day mark, but Calandra says if the province is unable to secure