Regina YMCA says NDP did not consult daycare over use of letter in message to Ottawa

The Sask. government is allowing daycare centres to add fees in $10-a-day daycare. (CTV News/Wayne Mantyka)

The Regina YMCA is clarifying its position on increasing daycare fees after a letter sent to parents and stakeholders ended up in the Saskatchewan official opposition’s communications to media and in letters to the federal government.

“We are aware of the recent correspondence shared with the Government of Canada on behalf of the Official Opposition in Saskatchewan,” Regina YMCA CEO Steve Compton said in a statement Monday.

“The YMCA was not consulted or informed of the letter to which we are referred, either in advance or after its release to the Government of Canada.”

It comes after the Sask. NDP rose concerns about the YMCA’s recent announcement it was increasing daycare fees.

In a statement released July 2, 2026 by the official opposition, the NDP called on Ottawa to investigate changes to the funding model related to the federal government’s $10/day daycare program with the province.

The changes, which were implemented July 1, change the amount of funding available to daycare providers based on its available childcare spaces – not individual children it looks after.

• Some Saskatchewan $10-a-day childcare centres adding extra fees

The NDP highlighted new YMCA fees, including a $75-per-month fundraising fee, a $15-per-month administration fee and an annual $125 enrolment fee. They are set to come into effect September 1, 2026.

“The recent communication shared with YMCA childcare families was neither a political nor a partisan statement,” Compton said. “Along with providing families 60-days’ notice of their childcare fees, the letter was shared with a broad network of stakeholders to ensure alignment and that these additional fees remained within the scope of permitted fees and were reviewed by the Ministry of Education.”

Compton’s statement went on to confirm the fees are being implemented, “to help bridge the gap between available funding and the current and forecasted financial challenges and deficits our organization faces.”

NDP early learning and childcare critic Joan Pratchler addressed the YMCA’s statement during a news conference Monday.

“We got copies of those letters from Facebook, social media and families have been sending those to us all along,” she told reporters. “We’re reporting what’s already been public.”

“The fees are going to go up and that’s hard for people to be able to manage; I mean, we’re in for an affordability crisis and that’s what [the YMCA] has to do in order to make ends meet and provide childcare the best they can. Here we are.”

The NDP want the federal government to examine whether the changes to part-time funding models and casual childcare spaces is consistent with the accessibility commitments contained in the agreement.

• Sask. daycares, NDP call for province to reverse course on part-time childcare policy change

Pratchler reiterated the NDP used publicly available information in its communication strategy.

“We referred to it, I’d have to check the letter again; I’ve [sent] quite a few,” she said. “This is what’s happening in Saskatchewan; is that what the federal government intended and wanted rolled out? I don’t have answers to that, maybe somebody else will.”

“It was on social media and that’s the information we have. That information is public,” Pratchler added.

The YMCA says it continues to work with the province to ensure high-quality, safe and inclusive childcare is available in the city.

“The YMCA remains committed to working in partnership with the Ministry of Education Early Years branch and all levels of Government; we continue to advocate on behalf of parents and families working towards a long-term, predictable and mutually beneficial childcare system today and in the future,” Compton added.

More to come...