At least 970 private, unsubsidized daycares are said to have closed their doors for the day Wednesday, in protest against the conditions under which they have to operate, compared to subsidized childcare services.
The Association of non-subsidized daycare centers has 1,350 members and, of these, at least 970 are said to be closed, said in an interview David Haddaoui, president of the association.
It could also be that this closing day is only a prelude to other days of protest.
Mr. Haddaoui explains that the situation has become untenable for its members since the announcement of immediate salary increases for educators in early childhood centers. Its members claim that they are unable to pay the same salaries to their educators and therefore fear that they will leave their companies for the CPEs.
He argues that in the current situation, private non-subsidized child care centers “have become waiting rooms” for subsidized child care services.
A place in subsidized child care costs the parent $ 8.50, while it can reach $ 40 per day in an unsubsidized service, he argues.
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