MRC Pontiac holds public meeting on daycare services

MRC Pontiac holds public meeting on daycare services

Last night (February 27), MRC Pontiac held a public consultation on daycare services in the region at their office in Campbell’s Bay.

Three members of the public attended in person, along with a handful more via Zoom. The meeting was led by Warden Jane Toller, along with Pontiac MNA André Fortin.

Fortin laid out the current situation in the Pontiac region, stating that the government estimates that the MRC is short about 40 daycare spaces, when in reality the number is much higher.

Mona Donnelly, the general manager of the Bambinos Universe Early Childhood Centers in Luskville and Shawville, was in attendance and highlighted the difficulties finding employees. She explained that many early childhood educators have left for work in local schools, which are also in need of staff. She said that they are typically attracted by the higher salaries as well as the work schedules.

She added that she would like to see schooling for daycare workers once again offered through the local campus of Heritage College.

Fortin said that in order to prepare for the future, they would need to convince the provincial government that the region needs more spaces than the government assessment currently states. He added that they would also have to address access to services in communities like the Upper Pontiac, Mansfield and Otter Lake.

As the meeting wound down, Toller said that she would like to hold another public meeting on the issue in approximately a month and a half.

The full interview with Fortin (3m) is available here. The full interview with Donnelly (4m5) can be found here.