This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada.
Families in Dawson will have access to more child care when construction of Big Blue Daycare is complete. With more than $2.7 million of funding support, the Dawson Society for Children and Families is building a new early learning and child care facility, which will have up to 32 spaces for children.
The funding for this important community project comes from the Yukon government’s Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund, which is supported by the Government of Canada under the Canada – Yukon Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund Agreement.
This construction funding follows a recent free land transfer from the Government of Yukon, for the Dawson Society for Children and Families to build the new facility. Construction of Big Blue Daycare is underway and targeted for completion in fall 2027.
The Dawson Society for Children and Families currently operates the Little Blue Early Care and Learning Centre. While construction of Big Blue Daycare is underway, the Department of Education will continue to support families in Dawson by providing universal child care funding to Little Blue Early Care and Learning Centre and Trinke Zho (operated by Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in).
Universal child care funding in the Yukon is supported in partnership by the Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada through the Canada – Yukon Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement and the Canada – Yukon Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund Agreement.
Families in Dawson have been waiting for a new early learning and child care facility for a long time. We are pleased to finally move this important facility to the construction stage. Not only will early learning improve children’s learning outcomes in K to 12 education and build capacity for lifelong learning, it enables families to enter the workforce and supports retention of skilled workers in the community.
Access to affordable child care is making a real difference for Yukon families. In partnership with the Government of Yukon, we’re expanding access to high-quality child care spaces, giving parents peace of mind while giving children a supportive environment to learn and grow. This project will help build a stronger, more connected community, giving more families opportunities to thrive.
This is a major step forward in supporting our growing town and building a strong future for Dawson families. The 'Big Blue' child care centre will increase child care capacity, support Dawson’s economic growth and provide a purpose-built facility where children can learn and thrive. The Dawson Society for Children and Families is grateful to both the governments of Yukon and Canada for their investments in our children and our community, and we are very excited to see this long-held vision come to life. This project reflects what is possible through persistence, collaboration and a shared understanding that strong early childhood education is the cornerstone of a thriving community.
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The Government of Yukon's Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund is supported by a $10.5 million investment from the Government of Canada under the Canada – Yukon Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund Agreement.
- Through the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund, the Dawson Society for Children and Families received $377,325 in 2025–26 for pre-construction activities, and is receiving another $2,400,000 in 2026–27 for construction, for a current total of $2,777,325.
- Through the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund, the Dawson Society for Children and Families received $377,325 in 2025–26 for pre-construction activities, and is receiving another $2,400,000 in 2026–27 for construction, for a current total of $2,777,325.
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Based on construction designs, the new facility should be built to accommodate up to 32 child care spaces. The exact number of child care spaces available will be confirmed after the completed space is evaluated for licensing requirements and staffed, as the Yukon’s Early Learning and Child Care Regulations require safe staff-to-child ratios.
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In the last five years, the Department of Education has provided $70,244 from the Early Learning and Child Care Enhancement Fund to support a number of facility upgrades to the existing Little Blue building, including: roof, floor and fence repairs; emergency lighting and smoke detectors; exterior paint; hot water tank replacement; and tree removal.
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Between 2021 and 2026, the Government of Yukon has distributed more than $130 million directly to licensed universal child care programs to support the costs of operational expenses, employee benefits, wage enhancements and space creation. Approximately one-third of this total is from federal funding agreements, while approximately two-thirds is territorial government funding.
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The Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada signed a five-year extension to the Canada – Yukon Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement until March 31, 2031 and in June 2026, the Government of Canada announced that it is providing an additional investment of up to $5.4 billion over two years, starting in 2026–2027, to support all provinces and territories in keeping child care fees stable and affordable for families.
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No matter the child care option parents choose, the Canada Child Benefit provides direct, tax-free support, helping about 3.5 million families, including more than six million children every year. While families can use the benefit however they need, for many it significantly reduces the burden of child care expenses – in some cases, cutting them entirely thanks to federal, provincial and territorial investments to reduce child care fees in the Canada-wide early learning and child care system.
Tim Kucharuk
Press secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-335-2419
[email protected]
Krisandra Reid
Communications, Education
867-332-3743
[email protected]
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
[email protected]
Dawson Society for Children and Families
[email protected]