According to an April 14 news release, the province will direct “an additional” $29.2 million to its child and family services (CFS) system in a bid to “strengthen supports for children, youth and families across the province.”
The funding will be given during the 2026-27 fiscal year. This increase brings the total funding for CFS services to $458 million, states the release.
In terms of breakdown, $18.9 million will go toward mitigating the rising cost of care and service provision, while $3.1 million will help support agency worker wages and $7.2 million will ensure continued supports for caregivers through “increased basic maintenance rates.”
CFS services are delivered via “authorities, agencies and Indigenous jurisdiction.”
“Since 2023, the Manitoba government has increased funding to the CFS system each year to respond to pressures identified by agencies and authorities, and has invested in priorities supporting stronger outcomes for children and families,” states the release.
Manitoba Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine called the safeguarding of children’s safety a “sacred responsibility.”
“This increase will help ensure children, youth and families get the supports they need, while strengthening the work of keeping more children connected to their families, kin and communities,” said Fontaine in a statement. “We know the child and family services system needs more support than the previous government was willing to provide, and our team is taking action to support agencies, caregivers and frontline workers who do this vital work every day.”
As of 2022, Manitoba had the highest rate in Canada of children and youth in out-of-home care, at 29.60 per 1,000 children, according to a federal government web page.
The Manitoba Families annual report from last year detailed that there were 9,172 kids in care under various agencies as of March 31, 2025 — up from 8,919 the year before. A child in care is considered one that has been placed by a child service agency in substitute care; a permanent or temporary ward; is under a voluntary surrender or guardianship; is under a voluntary placement agreement; or is “under apprehension.”
In addition, there were 567 kids in “own home” placements in 2025 — down from 601 the year before. An own home placement is one where the child is living with their parent, guardian or a “lifelong family member.”
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