Quebec actions demand ‘end attacks on child care’

Courtesy of Association Québecoise des Centres de Petite Enfance

MONTREAL — Tens of thousands of day care operators, workers, parents and children took to the streets here and in 18 other cities across Quebec Feb. 7. They protested against the Quebec liberal government’s moves to cut up to $120 million (US$87 million) this year from government-subsidized day care centers. Established in 1997, they were a major social gain for working people.

Louis Sénécal, president of the Association Québecoise des Centres de Petite Enfance, which organized the actions with the support of the main trade union federations, said 2,000 to 2,500 jobs are at stake. Since 2014 the Quebec government has slashed nearly $300 million in day care spending.

“Educational materials, work hours and menus for the children have been cut,” Brigitte Bernard, co-management director general of the Bois-des-Filion center, told the Militant. “The maintenance is done by the teachers every second day, and the next cuts will mean layoffs and a cut in opening hours.” She said that 30 of the 35 unionized teachers in her center came to the protest.

“We had to replace meat with tofu in our meals,” said Mélanie Boutet from the Montmorency center. “We don’t have staff to help kids with difficulties.”

As of Jan. 1, families with incomes higher than $55,000 will pay on a sliding scale, up to $20 a day. The fee today is $7.30.

— MICHEL PRAIRIE AND JOHN STEELE