Notice

January 19, 2011

This is an urgent call for deputations to Peel Regional Council to save Peel child care centres. You do not have to live in the Peel Region to apply.

At a meeting with Janet Menard, Commissioner of Human Services of Region of Peel, on January 12th, The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care learned that Menard will forward a recommendation to Council on January 26th to shut down all 12 child care centres operated by the Peel Region.
 
The report with the recommendation to close the centres will be released to the public on Friday January 20th, and Council will be asked to vote on it on the Thursday January 26th.
 
 The Region of Peel operates 12 child care centres which:

 - serve over 800 children in neighbourhoods across the Region,
 - employ over 300 full time and part-time employees,
 - provide the highest quality care in the Region
 - is one of a very few centres that provide the award winning “Best Start” program
 - provide the best care for children with special needs
 - provide after hours care for parents working shift work
 - have on site child resource workers
 
 Here are the reasons we oppose this closing and are asking for your support:
 
 1) There was no open public consultation, and it is in great haste that Councillors are being asked to make a decision.
 2) These are the best child care centres and we cannot compromise on our children’s futures.
 3) The Region is saying closing the centres will allow them to provide more subsidies, however this is a short term achievement with no long term vision.
 4) Peel is expanding every year, and there is already a short fall of spots, closing down the centres and the over 800 spots is not the answer.

We are asking you to apply to speak to the Regional Council at the meeting on Thursday, January 26, 9:30 a.m. You do not need to be a resident of Peel to make a deputation.
 
You must apply in writing, fill out the form at:
http://www.peelregion.ca/council/request-for-delegation-2011-09-21.pdf
Please apply as soon as possible – deadline to register to speak is noon on Wednesday, January 25.
 
If you cannot attend the regional council meeting, please write a letter to the clerk and it will be distributed to every Councilor: council@peelregion.ca