Ontario’s new plans to enhance daycare safety are a step in the right direction, but the province should be careful about applying a “one-size-fits-all” approach, as many different types of programs exist across Ontario, said a coalition representing numerous child-care centers on Friday.
The government announced changes Thursday night following a tragic incident where a vehicle crashed into a Richmond Hill daycare during pickup time on Wednesday, resulting in the death of a toddler and injuring six young children along with three adults.
York Regional Police reported Friday that two of the injured children remain in critical condition. A 70-year-old man is facing charges related to dangerous driving, and authorities have stated they do not believe it was intentional.
Education Minister Paul Calandra mentioned that the government is considering legislative adjustments to limit parking near windows and exterior walls of childcare facilities, as well as requiring higher curbs and bollards in certain areas.
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Carolyn Ferns, policy coordinator for the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care, expressed that this tragedy has left the community devastated and providers are already thinking about how to prevent such incidents from happening again.
![Click to play video: 'Family of 17-month-old killed in Richmond Hill daycare crash speaks out, calling for change']()
2:18 Family of 17-month-old killed in Richmond Hill daycare crash speaks out, calling for change
Ferns noted that various daycares might need distinct safety measures. For some locations, removing parking spots outside their windows may be wise; while others might benefit from higher curbs or installing bollards instead.
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She emphasized that the ministry must determine what changes are “appropriate” for different kinds of businesses.
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“And we need to make sure that the rules make sense given the different kinds of settings that we see in Ontario,” she said.
Ferns also highlighted that any new regulations should come with financial assistance.
Said daycares operate on fixed revenues and can’t afford necessary retrofits without support from somewhere else.
“We would need, you know, some funding and support for child-care programs to be able to implement this rule in settings across the board,” said Ferns.
She added that any new rules being created should also tackle safety concerns linked with busy roadways near daycares.
The distance between streets and buildings needs consideration; bollards should be mandatory in certain locations too.
If the province aims at expanding child-care spaces, it should also develop new design guidelines for any upcoming facilities as well, she suggested.
Calandra stated on social media that he instructed his team to collaborate with inspectors and service providers to identify “vulnerabilities and take immediate actions” before any future legislative modifications occur.
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Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won’t miss a trending story. “I think it’s good to see that the government is also thinking about that,” she said in an interview Friday. “Hopefully this is a time where, you know, everybody – the government, child care operators – will be reflecting on this and thinking … what can we do now to help make sure children are safe?”
2:18 Family of 17-month-old killed in Richmond Hill daycare crash speaks out, calling for change
Ferns noted that various daycares might need distinct safety measures. For some locations, removing parking spots outside their windows may be wise; while others might benefit from higher curbs or installing bollards instead.
More on Canada More videos
She emphasized that the ministry must determine what changes are “appropriate” for different kinds of businesses.
Story continues below
“And we need to make sure that the rules make sense given the different kinds of settings that we see in Ontario,” she said.
Ferns also highlighted that any new regulations should come with financial assistance.
Said daycares operate on fixed revenues and can’t afford necessary retrofits without support from somewhere else.
“We would need, you know, some funding and support for child-care programs to be able to implement this rule in settings across the board,” said Ferns.
She added that any new rules being created should also tackle safety concerns linked with busy roadways near daycares.
The distance between streets and buildings needs consideration; bollards should be mandatory in certain locations too.
If the province aims at expanding child-care spaces, it should also develop new design guidelines for any upcoming facilities as well, she suggested.
Calandra stated on social media that he instructed his team to collaborate with inspectors and service providers to identify “vulnerabilities and take immediate actions” before any future legislative modifications occur.
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