Ready-to-Move (RTM) Child Care Project
Manitoba's 2021-23 Action Plan under the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement allocates targeted investments towards capital development of new regulated non-profit infant and preschool child care spaces in higher need communities. As of July 2023, Manitoba has provided a total investment of $120-million from both the governments of Canada and Manitoba for two phases of the ready-to-move child-care project to create 1,970 new child-care spaces in 25 rural and First Nations communities.
Under the agreement, Manitoba is targeting the development of 23,000 new full time child care spaces by March 31, 2026, and capital grant funding is allocated to support the creation of 5,890 new child care spaces.
The RTM child care project offers a collaborative approach to construct a large number of child care facilities servicing infant and pre-school spaces within the province under expedited timelines and in areas with a demonstrated child care need. RTM construction technology allows the development of high-quality new facilities built under controlled conditions before they are moved to the final site and placed on a permanent foundation. Under this initiative, RTM construction costs will be fully funded under the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement in exchange for land, servicing and free rent for the child care operator.
In November 2022, Manitoba announced the creation of nine new child care facilities across Manitoba. Communities selected in phase one, include:
- RM of Headingley – Headingly
(completed 74 spaces, opened late August) - RM of Macdonald – Oak Bluff
(completed 74 spaces, opened October 2023) - Town of Stonewall
(completed 74 spaces, opened November 2023) - RM of Ritchot - Ile des Chenês
(completed 74 spaces, opened September 2023) - RM of St. Clements – East Selkirk
(completed 74 spaces, opened November 2023) - RM of Morris – Rosenort
(completed 74 spaces, opened December 2023) - RM of Whitemouth – Whitemouth
(completed 74 spaces, opened September 2023) - Rural Municipality (RM) of Portage la Prairie/City of Portage la Prairie
(completed 74 spaces, opened January 2024) - Peguis First Nation - East St. Paul
(construction beginning May 2024)
The Expression of Interest for phase two closed in December 2022 with a project expansion to create an additional 14 RTM facilities. Completion is anticipated for Spring 2024. Communities selected include:
- Rural Municipality (RM) of Hanover - Kleefeld,
- RM of Tache - Lorette
(Completed 74 spaces, opened February 2024) - RM of MacDonald - La Salle,
- RM of Rockwood - Stony Mountain,
- RM of Sifton - Oak Lake
- RM of Ritchot - Saint Adolphe
(Completed 74 spaces, opened February 2024) - RM of Argyle - Baldur,
- RM of Brokenhead - Tyndall
- Town of Morris
- Town of Melita
- City of Dauphin
- City of Morden
- Lake St. Martin First Nation and Norway House Cree Nation
152 new spaces will be added via five RTM builds (subject to completion).
As of July, 2023, two additional projects have been newly-approved in the Town of Ste. Anne and the Rural Municipality of Wallace-Woodworth, adding an estimated 148 spaces on completion.
To get an idea of just how quickly RTM structures can be built, watch the following time-lapse videos from the Phase One RTM child care centre installations.
- RM of Ritchot - Ile des Chenês: Two-day installation of the exterior walls and roof
- RM of St. Clements - East Selkirk: Three-day installation of floor, wall, and roof
Our thanks to Pretium Projects Ltd., Design-Builder for Phase One RTM Pilot Project who provided the two videos of Phase One construction along with their expressed permission to share.
View previous RTM Child Care Centre Projects in Manitoba:
