New Licensed Child Care Spaces Coming to Thunder Bay and Terrace Bay

MPP Kevin Holland

THUNDER BAY – The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board is set to create 118 new licensed child care spaces in 2026, improving access for families in Thunder Bay and Terrace Bay through the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care program.

This addition is part of a larger goal from the Ministry of Education to create 196 new licensed CWELCC spaces throughout the District of Thunder Bay from 2024 to 2026. This initiative aims to ease the burden on families seeking affordable, regulated child care while helping parents and guardians who are working, training, or studying.

Plans for New Child Care Spaces in Thunder Bay and Terrace Bay

TBDSSAB has teamed up with three organizations to deliver the 118 spaces this year.
The Nanabijou Child Care Program in Thunder Bay plans to add 72 spaces, backed by around $1.33 million in annual CWELCC funding along with about $1.26 million in expansion funding.

The Métis Nation of Ontario Child Care Centre in Thunder Bay expects to contribute 32 spaces, with approximately $661,644 in annual CWELCC funding and $500,000 allocated for expansion.
Brass Bell Family Resource Centre in Terrace Bay is anticipated to add 14 spaces, receiving about $302,772 in annual CWELCC funding.

All together, these three projects will utilize roughly $2.29 million in annual CWELCC funding and $1.76 million for expansion from sources managed by TBDSSAB on behalf of both federal and provincial governments.

Child Care Expansion Builds on Previous Growth

The new spaces planned for 2026 follow previous expansions across the district. According to TBDSSAB, there were an additional 52 spaces created by existing licensed child care programs in 2024 while another 26 were added in 2025 through a new initiative at Our Kids Count.

With this upcoming growth in 2026, TBDSSAB states its service agreements will increase from having 25 licensed child care service providers at 52 program locations to now include 26 providers across a total of 55 locations.

As of January 2026, there were already 1,503 children enrolled in CWELCC spaces throughout the district.

Patty Hajdu Emphasizes Importance of Child Care for Families and Economy

Federal Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu, also responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, mentioned that affordable child care plays a vital role in economic growth.

“Affordable child care is an economic tool that helps communities grow. When parents can find good, reliable child care, they can work, train or build a business,” Hajdu said. “That helps families earn more and helps the whole province stay competitive. In Thunder Bay, lower fees are saving families thousands of dollars and keeping more people in the workforce. We will keep working with partners to protect and expand these spaces so every child can learn and every family can plan for a strong future.”

Ontario Education Minister Highlights More Options for Families

Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra noted that these additional licensed child care spots will offer families better access to safe early learning environments.

“Families in Thunder Bay will soon have more child care options with 118 new spaces opening this year,” Calandra said. “Providing more access to high-quality affordable child care helps children get the start they need as they prepare for their first years of school while giving parents peace knowing their kids are cared for safely.”

Local Providers Excited About New Opportunities

Marcia Arpin, executive director of Nanabijou Childcare Centre expressed enthusiasm about enhancing childcare availability within Thunder Bay. “The Board of Directors and staff of Nanabijou Childcare Centre are excited to be part of offering more childcare spaces to the city of Thunder Bay,” Arpin said.

Margaret Froh president of Métis Nation of Ontario stated that this investment will benefit Métis families seeking culturally relevant early learning options. “High-quality childcare is essential to building strong families and resilient communities,” Froh said. “The Métis Nation of Ontario is proud to work with the Government of Canada and the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board on creating childcare spaces which enhance opportunities for Métis families while providing quality early learning support that benefits not just children’s development but also parents’ economic well-being as well as our wider community.”

Colleen Kjellman executive director at Brass Bell Family Resource Centre highlighted how important this project is locally.

“Brass Bell Family Resource Centre is pleased to collaborate with Community Partners addressing needs we see here regarding having a Licensed Child Care Centre available right here within Terrace Bay,” Kjellman said.

TBDSSAB Stresses Continued Focus on Workforce Development

Crystal Simeoni director at TBDSSAB explained how these newly created spots provide stability for families. “When children have safe nurturing places where they can learn and grow it allows parents or guardians greater peace when pursuing work education or engaging within their community,” Simeoni said. “These new areas reflect our shared commitment toward investing into our families resulting ultimately towards building brighter futures together.”

The Impact CWELCC Has on Families

The Canada-Wide Early Learning & Childcare (CWELCC) program aims at reducing costs associated with childcare expenses faced by guardians overseeing kids under six years old increases available licensed facilities while also supporting those who work within early childhood sectors themselves.

TBDSSAB reports that CWELCC has successfully lowered daily rates across Ontario down below $22 per day effective January twenty-five; additionally providing financial backing sourced jointly from both federal provincial levels which gets administered locally via them too!

The government’s made infrastructure funds available aimed directly towards helping local agencies develop fresh sites designated specifically under CWELCC regulations ensuring proper management takes place!

ECR Recruitment Retention Part Of StrategySays TDBSB issued expressions prompting interest back June ‘twenty five further establishing fair routes involved expanding non-profit entities managing such types occurrences happening regionally speaking!
Citing partnerships formed alongside Confederation College assisting recruitment retention initiatives focusing primarily Early Childhood Educators positions offered led them awarding earlier figures namely; one hundred-seven thousand distributed amongst thirty-nine first-year students plus thirty-four second-year fellows joining similar courses offered related fields!
     Fast Track ECE Program graduated eleven individuals back twenty-five featuring fifteen others signed up starting January ’twenty-six!

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Matter Significance Northwestern Ontarion For Regions Like TBAY Directly Connected Workforces Involvement Household Earnings Enhanced Growth In Regional Economies Overall!

This influx may alleviate stresses experienced previously concerning finding suitable priced services especially true smaller towns where choices tend lack variety available-thus beneficial potential employers too helping returning workers taking shifts continuing training remaining engaged labor markets overall!

Certain details surrounding project announcements grand openings expected soon after completion processes finalize accordingly based every space provided announced thereafter sharing possible information linked following outcomes ahead respective timelines coming forth!!

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