YELLOWKNIFE (October 20, 2022) – The Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) are investing $4.6 million between 2022-23 and 2023- 24 to enhance wages for early childhood educators working in licensed centre-based early learning and child care programs in the Northwest Territories (NWT). Recognizing the importance of early childhood educators, the wage enhancements are intended to help retain and recruit early childhood educators.

Licensed centre-based programs will receive $12,750 per full-time equivalent (FTE) in year one (2022-2023) and $16,250 per FTE in year two (2023-2024) based on staff to child ratios as required by legislation. This two-year transitional funding, retroactive to April 1, 2022, will provide enhanced wages for early childhood educators in licensed centre-based programs until a wage grid is implemented in 2024-2025.

In response to engagement with Indigenous Governments, licensed program operators, and early childhood educators, the Retention Incentive provides operators with flexibility to make decisions based on program and educator needs. The department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) will provide funding to operators who will then distribute the funding to eligible early childhood educators.
 

For links and contact info, read the full PDF news release here.