Media Advisory: Peel Parents, Advocates Call on Region to "Put Brakes" on Child Care Closures

Regional Councillors Invited to Community Meeting on Tuesday Night


MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 23, 2012) - Peel parents are holding a community meeting on Tuesday evening to call on Councillors to delay a decision at this Thursday's Peel Council meeting that could close all 12 regionally operated child care centres.

An invitation letter was sent earlier today to all of the Peel Councillors and the regional chair to attend the community meeting and hear what affected parents and others in the community have to say about impact of the pending closures.

EVENT: Community meeting to protect Peel Child Care Centres
TIME: 6:00 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
LOCATION: Mississauga Valley Community Centre, 1275 Mississauga Valley Blvd., Laura Taylor Room

Peel Council is set to vote at this Thursday's council meeting on a recommendation by consultants KPMG - the same group that advised the City of Toronto on service cuts - to close all its regional child care centres. Meeting organizers feel Peel council has rushed into this decision and they are asking councillors to put the brakes on the process and defer the Thursday vote at Regional Council, which is set for 9:30 a.m.

"Closing the centres will adversely impact families in this region because Peel will have fewer child care spaces. A fast growing area like Peel needs more child care, not less" said Andrea Calver, Coordinator of the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC). "Among the most adversely affected will be families with children with special needs - instead of rushing this decision, Peel Regional Council needs to consult with parents because they are most affected by this decision."

A rally in support of keeping the child care centres open is scheduled for Thursday, January 26 at 9 a.m. outside the Peel Region Office at 10 Peel Centre Dr., Brampton.

Contact Information:

Andrea Calver, OCBCC Coordinator
416-434-8031

Lisa Martinez, Peel parent
647-282-1351