Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think it's worth noting that between 2021 and -- sorry, Mr. Speaker, I want to be able to provide a little bit of extra information for this response.
Between 2021-2022 and 2025-2026, ECE, along with the Government of Canada, is investing just over $112 million into the child care sector. I heard the Member during her Member's statement speak about current negotiations. Current negotiations are in regards to infrastructure funding in the 2024-2025 year. Funding changes will happen where all programs will receive an increase in total funding compared to the current fiscal year. And it's also worth noting that effective April 1st, existing licensed program operators that charge fees below the maximum fee for newly licensed facilities will be able to increase their fees between 0 and 6 percent up to the prescribed monthly maximum.
So one of my recommendations, right now, ECE is working on the wage grid. They did consultations and engagement with the sector last year and also in the beginning of this year, they came back with what they've done so far. And a wage grid is a huge part of this, Mr. Speaker. There is still a gap, and that is acknowledged for sure in this sector between early childhood educators and the junior kindergarten and kindergarten educators as well and education assistants in the school. But wage grid and the new funding mechanism are really going to be those key pieces, and I look forward to continuing to work with the sector to see what we can do together to meet in the middle there. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.