Montreal officially has the cheapest child care in Canada, according to a new report examining child care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers across the country.
The study was conducted by phone, by researchers from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives between June and October 2017.
Researchers called regulated licensed full-day child care centres and licensed child care homes to find out the full-day, full-time fees paid by parents without subsidies.
They discovered that child care for all age groups is the cheapest at Montreal, at a fixed cost of just $168 per month.
The Quebec government funds child care operationally, which allows them to set maximum child care fees. In some cases, those fees are 10 times less than in Toronto.
Toronto has most expensive child care in Canada
In fact, Toronto was found to have the most expensive child care in Canada across all age groups.
Parents with infants in Toronto can expect to pay an average of $1,758 a month, or $21,096 annually for full-time child care services.
Meanwhile, Torontonians with toddlers are paying an average of $1,354 a month, or $16,248 a year, for a full-time space.
And for those in Toronto with preschoolers on their hands, you can expect to be set back an average of $1,212 a month or $14,544 annually for full-time child care.
According to researchers, a young middle-income family in Toronto with an infant and a three-year-old are paying almost $3,000 a month, or $36,000 a year, for child care.
Vancouver parents also facing high child care costs
Interestingly, when it comes to child care infants and toddlers, Vancouver and the surrounding area also proved among the most expensive.
In the case of infant fees, parents in Vancouver can expect to pay an average of $1,360 a month, or $16,320 annually for full-time child care, the fourth highest fees in the country.
And as for full-time child care fees for parents of toddlers, Vancouver ranked second highest in Canada, at an average cost of $1,292 a month, or $15,504 annually.
As well, Richmond and Burnaby tied with Mississauga for third highest full-time toddler child care fees in Canada, with average fees of $1,200 a month, or $14,400 a year.
And that’s if you can even find a space.
Child care costs across Canada
Source: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. All figures are monthly averages.
Cheapest full time infant child care in Canada
- Montreal $168
- Quebec City, Longueil, Laval, Gatineau $183
- Winnipeg $651
- Charlottetown $738
- Saint John $868
Most expensive full time infant child care in Canada
- Toronto $1,758
- Mississauga $1,452
- Vaughan $1,415
- Vancouver $1,360
- Kitchener $1,325
Cheapest full time toddler child care in Canada
- Montreal – $168
- Quebec City, Longueil, Laval, Gatineau – $183
- Winnipeg – $451
- Charlottetown – $608
- Regina – $635
Most expensive full time toddler child care in Canada
- Toronto – $1,354
- Vancouver – $1,292
- Richmond, Burnaby, Mississauga – $1,200
- Vaughan – $1,150
- Brampton – $1,128
Cheapest full time preschooler child care in Canada
- Montreal – $168
- Quebec City, Longueil, Laval, Gatineau – $183
- Winnipeg – $451
- Regina – $575
- Charlottetown – $586
Most expensive full time preschooler child care in Canada
- Toronto – $1,212
- Mississauga – $1,052
- Brampton – $1,050
- Vaughan – $1,031
- Markham – $1,017