C-35Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act
An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada
Government bill, introduced in the House of Commons on December 8, 2022
- Status
- Became law on March 19, 2024 · S.C. 2024, c. 2
What it does
Sets out a federal vision for a Canada-wide early learning and child care system, commits to long-term funding, and creates an advisory council.
What it does
- Sets out the Government of Canada’s vision for a Canada-wide early learning and child care system.
- Commits to maintaining long-term federal funding for early learning and child care for provinces and Indigenous peoples.
- Creates the National Advisory Council on Early Learning and Child Care.
Who it affects
- Families with young children
- Early learning and child care providers
- Provincial governments
- Indigenous peoples
- Federal government
Background
The bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 8 December 2022 and given first reading.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Report stage
Completed.
Third reading
Completed.
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Third reading
Completed.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Completed.
Introduced by a cabinet minister on behalf of the government. Government bills get set time for debate, so they are the most likely to become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
Party breakdown for vote 656 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 145 0 11 Conservative Nay 0 110 7 Bloc Nay 0 30 2 NDP Yea 20 0 5 Green Split evenly 1 1 0 Independent Split evenly 1 1 1 Total 167 142 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-35, An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada
Vote 385,
Passed
315 yeato0 nay · 6 paired
Party breakdown for vote 385 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 151 0 5 Conservative Yea 110 0 5 Bloc Yea 27 0 5 NDP Yea 23 0 2 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Yea 2 0 1 Total 315 0 Concurrence at report stage of Bill C-35, An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada
Vote 370,
Passed
325 yeato0 nay · 4 paired
Party breakdown for vote 370 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 152 0 4 Conservative Yea 113 0 2 Bloc Yea 31 0 1 NDP Yea 24 0 1 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Yea 3 0 0 Total 325 0 Bill C-35, An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada (report stage amendment)
Vote 369,
Failed
114 yeato211 nay · 4 paired
Party breakdown for vote 369 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Nay 0 152 4 Conservative Yea 113 0 2 Bloc Nay 0 31 1 NDP Nay 0 25 0 Green Split evenly 1 1 0 Independent Nay 0 2 1 Total 114 211 Time allocation for Bill C-35, An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada
Vote 351,
Passed
173 yeato147 nay
Party breakdown for vote 351 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 149 0 7 Conservative Nay 0 113 2 Bloc Nay 0 31 1 NDP Yea 23 0 2 Green Split evenly 1 1 0 Independent Nay 0 2 1 Total 173 147 2nd reading of Bill C-35, An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada
Vote 246,
Passed
323 yeato0 nay
Party breakdown for vote 246 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 150 0 8 Conservative Yea 113 0 3 Bloc Yea 31 0 1 NDP Yea 25 0 0 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Yea 2 0 0 Total 323 0
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalKarina Gould· January 30, 2023
“It gives me tremendous pleasure, and it is an honour to rise in the House today to kick off the debate on Bill C-35, an act respecting early learning and child care in Canada. I want to start with a few thanks.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeMichelle Ferreri· January 30, 2023
“” Today, we are debating Bill C-35, an act respecting early learning and child care in Canada. As a mom and as the shadow minister for families, children and social development, I cannot understate the importance and value of affordable, quality child care.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocSylvie Bérubé· January 30, 2023
“I rise today to speak to Bill C-35, an act respecting early learning and child care in Canada, which was tabled by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development on December 8.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPLeah Gazan· January 30, 2023
“Let me begin by acknowledging the people who made this system and the bill we are debating today possible. There are too many names to mention, but let me say this.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caGreenElizabeth May· June 6, 2023
“It is a great honour to speak in support of Bill C-35 at this time. I could not agree more with some of the members who spoke before me, such as the member for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill and the Bloc Québécois member for Shefford, who gave a great speech.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: Royal assent received. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.