Budget blow softened for Quebec daycares

Le Conseil québécois des services de garde éducatifs à l’enfance says it has reduced to $51 million from $80 million the proposed budget compressions in early childhood centres by negotiating with the province. In all, Quebec planned $120 million in budget cuts to publicly funded daycare, with $80 million to early childhood centres. Francine Lessard, executive VP and general manager of the Conseil, said she was satisfied with the negotiation, which also saw a new financing formula for the centres. She said it will benefit all early childhood centres, including those represented by the Association québécoise des centres de la petite enfance, which opted not to sit at the bargaining table. The Association said it will “let others rejoice over the way these compressions will affect service to families. As for us, we’ll stand up for families and intend to defend the entirety of our educational mission.”