One year ago on February 8, a bus was deliberately driven into a daycare in Laval, killing two toddlers. As this sad anniversary approaches, while we still know nothing about the suspect’s motivations, parents and caregivers have agreed to share their memories of this day as chaotic as it is tragic.
Despite the tragedy and the haunting images, a father did not want to change daycares in order to show solidarity and avoid revictimizing the staff.
“It’s not all their fault, they are victims of this tragedy as much as we are,” says Madjid Meghari, father of two children aged 2 and 4 who still attend daycare like many other parents in his situation. .
When they “shopped” for child care, Mr. Meghari and his wife were among the lucky few parents for whom a few offers were available. They didn’t hesitate for long and chose the Ste-Rose Educational Daycare, a private establishment, after falling in love with the place and the staff.
“For us, it was the safest place in the world – it’s at the end of a cul-de-sac, there’s no traffic, it seemed so safe. And it was very warm, there were no bollards or concrete blocks in front, it felt like a house.”
The bus was supposed to take the roundabout to change direction, but instead continued on its way and slammed into the daycare.
Photo The Journal
Madjid Meghari’s children were not harmed in the crime, but the man and his wife still wondered whether they should look for new daycare.
“It’s really traumatic to experience something like this. At first, my wife cried every morning. When you think about it, what could be worse than that? Going after little children like that, they are the most vulnerable people in society.”
After reflection, the couple chose to stay and help life return to normal.
“We didn’t want this daycare to be put aside because of one person’s choice,” he said. It was a place of love and joy of living and it has become so again.”