Government of Prince Edward Island, August 21, 2023
Excerpt: "Today the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, Prince Edward Island Premier, Dennis King, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Jenna Sudds, and provincial Minister of Education and Early Years, Natalie Jameson joined the PEI Early Childhood Development Association (ECDA) to announce three major initiatives to support Island families and the early years sector.
Effective October 1, 2023, wages will increase for Early Childhood Educators and staff in designated Early Years Centres (EYCs). Wage increases are an important part of a multi-year plan to support the early learning and child care sector and encourage others to pursue a career in early childhood education.
For the first-time ever, employees of EYCs in Prince Edward Island will soon benefit from a defined contribution pension plan, with matching government funds. As the province expands the publicly managed system, the number of staff required to maintain the program will also increase, and long-term financial investments will support a more sustainable workforce.
The new defined contribution pension plan and continued wage increases will be valuable tools for the recruitment and retention of staff for the sector. These investments also recognize the invaluable contributions made by the dedicated professionals currently working in EYCs across the province. Their commitment to nurturing, educating, and inspiring young minds is instrumental in fostering a strong foundation for future success.
The Ministers also announced funding to increase the number of spaces in EYCs through an expansion grant, supporting both operational and capital expenses. It is anticipated that over 300 new spaces will open within the next 18 months.
All of these initiatives are being funded through the Canada-PEI Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) Agreement. The new defined contribution pension plan is being developed, implemented, and managed through the ECDA of PEI."
