The Government of Canada has launched a new call for proposals to support innovation in Indigenous early learning and child care, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children have access to high-quality, culturally grounded programs that reflect their languages, traditions, and values. Indigenous-led early learning and child care is seen as a critical foundation for children’s well-being and long-term success.
The announcement was made by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, who unveiled the fourth call for proposals under the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Quality Improvement Projects initiative.
Under this call, nearly $47 million in federal funding will be made available for approved projects beginning in the 2026–2027 fiscal year. Eligible initiatives can receive up to $2 million each, with projects running for a maximum duration of 36 months.
The funded projects will support priority areas that were co-developed with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners. These include strengthening shared definitions of what high-quality Indigenous early learning and child care means across communities, expanding education and training opportunities for leaders, managers, and staff, enhancing local licensing systems and procedures, and developing tools and training to better support staff working with children with special needs.
First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, governments, and organizations are encouraged to apply for funding, with applications due by March 25, 2026, at 3:00 pm EDT. The initiative aims to empower Indigenous communities to lead the design and delivery of early learning and child care systems that reflect their unique cultural identities and priorities.
