Quebec to add 14,000 childcare spaces within two years

Last October, Prime Minister François Legault promised to add 37,000 spaces by 2025. He said that 20,000 of these spaces were already under construction.

article content

Family Minister Mathieu Lacombe announced on Sunday the creation of 14,000 new childcare spaces, which should be available within two years.

article content

This includes 8,000 places in child care centers (CPE) and 6,000 in subsidized nurseries, he told a press conference in Montreal.

Last October, Prime Minister François Legault promised to add 37,000 spaces by 2025. He said that 20,000 of these spaces were already under construction.

With Sunday’s additions, a total of 34,000 slots are being created out of 37,000.

Pending the new spaces, CPEs and subsidized day care centers that have been authorized to provide these spaces will be able to “offer them in temporary facilities,” such as vacant premises, Lacombe said.

Geneviève Bélisle, executive director of the Association québécoise des centers de la petite enfance, added that thanks to an agreement with the government, the CPEs will be able to build prefabricated spaces.

This will allow them to speed up the process and “join the efforts of various CPEs to really develop concepts and plans.”

He announced that the design and manufacture of the spaces will soon be put out to tender.