To enhance safety, the province is suggesting that operators and municipalities must stop the use of parking spaces right next to entryways, windows, and exterior walls of classrooms or playgrounds at child-care facilities.
The Ontario government is putting forward new measures aimed at improving safety at child-care centers. This comes after a man was charged with dangerous driving following an SUV crashing into a daycare north of Toronto, resulting in the death of a toddler and injuries to six other children.
Three staff members were also injured in the incident on Wednesday at First Roots Early Education Academy in Richmond Hill, Ont.
The boy who tragically lost his life was only 1-1/2 years old, according to police. The other children, aged between 18 months and three years, were taken to the hospital with various injuries. Police reported that two of them remained in critical condition as of Thursday afternoon.
Education Minister Paul Calandra mentioned that the government is proposing regulations requiring operators and municipalities to prohibit parking directly next to entryways, windows, and external walls of classrooms or playgrounds within child-care facilities.
Calandra noted that accessible spaces and those child-care facilities situated in private homes would be exceptions.
He also stated he has instructed his ministry to collaborate with service managers, inspectors, and service providers to identify “vulnerabilities” needing attention before upcoming legislative changes are made.
“Our government will make any necessary legislative or regulatory amendments to municipal or landlord restrictions that currently prevent the installation of protective barriers, such as bollards, planters, elevated curbs and other physical infrastructure to protect children and workers in these settings,” Calandra said in a statement posted on social media.
The First Roots Early Education Academy expressed being “in a state of shock” following the crash.
“We wish to share our gratitude for the outpouring of support and sympathy and want to thank the emergency services personnel who assisted the affected children and their families as well as our staff members,” it said in a statement on social media.
“We ask that our community be given privacy to grieve and recover during this unimaginably difficult time.”
Vinay Kumar Gupta, arrested at the scene in Richmond Hill, faces one count of dangerous operation causing death along with two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. The 70-year-old received bail after a brief court appearance on Thursday.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, York Regional Police Chief Jim Mac Sween remarked that “at this time, there is no reason to believe the collision was deliberate.” He described it as a “devastating” event that would resonate throughout the region.
Investigators had indicated shortly after Wednesday’s crash that it didn’t seem intentional. Police confirmed that Gupta was alone in his vehicle when it happened but have not yet revealed what might have caused this incident during pickup time in the afternoon.
A news release from police on Thursday mentioned they are still collecting evidence which could lead to additional charges being filed. Anyone with footage from around the area has been urged to come forward.
A judge at Newmarket’s court granted a publication ban covering details shared during Gupta’s bail hearing on Thursday afternoon.
Gupta was released on $25,000 bail under conditions including living with a surety; he’s prohibited from driving any vehicle or possessing vehicle keys.
A Hyundai electric car involved was pulled through shattered glass from one window of the daycare onto a tow truck late Wednesday evening. It appeared mostly undamaged except for a hanging license plate and some broken glass atop its hood.
The large window was boarded up with plywood by Thursday morning along with some lumber pieces.
Just beneath it sat several stuffed animals facing toward the parking lot. Residents had also left flowers, a mini basketball, a candle near by them as well. A sign reading “please slow down” remained mounted beside where impact occurred.
This message goes out for those concerned about road safety.
“We’re obviously very happy our daughter’s safe but it’s traumatic knowing this happened so close,”Bekirovski concluded.
Just beneath it sat several stuffed animals facing toward the parking lot. Residents had also left flowers, a mini basketball, a candle near by them as well. A sign reading “please slow down” remained mounted beside where impact occurred.
This message goes out for those concerned about road safety.
Your health matters!
Emirson Bekirovski received an alert while working about an emergency situation requiring him quickly pick up his four-year-old daughter:
“My wife came here traumatized seeing helicopters & police cars,”Bekirovski shared , adding parents weren’t given much info beyond instructions bringing kids home.If possible stay calm folks!
.Police confirmed there were 96 kids attending multiple rooms when tragedy struck.
“We’re obviously very happy our daughter’s safe but it’s traumatic knowing this happened so close,”Bekirovski concluded.
Ruth Brainis , a local mom sharing her feelings stated :“I felt devastated sickened when I heard about this tragic accident.”You know no one should suffer like them!She visited site laying flowers respecting families impacted today.”When it’s kids involved hit hardest-imagine parents’ pain.”Hava Jouharchi has resided here over 25 years expressing disbelief realizing what occurred nearby where her own kids once went too! ”My son passed moments before-it shocked me,” she recalled. Residents kept showing up throughout day bringing gifts like teddy bears-some had their young ones too-a father carried daughter while mother placed bouquet down quietly. Gupta will return back October sixteenth for another hearing ahead then.
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