A daycare center in Montreal is forced to close its doors for several months due to damage caused by the storm. Debbyleaving nearly 80 children and 160 workers with no way out.
The passage of the storm Debby caused major damage to the Pavillon petites abeilles of the CPE Carcajou, a facility that offers 80 places, established in the Mercier-Ouest district, in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.
“The water seeped through the roof, up to the ventilation channels,” explained the director of the CPE Carcajou, Marie-Claire Simard, in an interview with Quebec Morning. Large pockets of water have formed in the ceilings and floors.
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The CPE Carcajou will not be able to return to its premises and welcome children any time soon, while repairs to the damage could take up to four months.
“Solutions are slow to arrive”
CPE employees are working hard to find solutions by soliciting municipal and provincial authorities. “We feel a sensitivity around our cause,” adds the director.
On the other hand, solutions are “slow in coming,” while very few premises are available in the Mercier-Ouest district.
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The CPE Carcajou is even refused access to the property by several commercial premises, due to “children being too noisy” and inspections required by the Ministry of the Family.
Parents with no way out
Some parents, among those of the 80 children of the Pavillon petites abeilles, find themselves without a solution, including the most vulnerable, most isolated families and those with children with particular challenges.
“These families don’t have a plan B and they need support from professionals,” emphasizes Marie-Claire Simard.
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The director also notes that several parents have written to her to receive a letter of notice of the closure of the CPE, since their jobs are “in jeopardy.”
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Marie-Claire Simard wants to find a place within a week, to allow the children to go back to school.
“We have to find a place to relocate for these families, for the well-being of these children and these parents who have to return to the job market,” she maintains.
The CPE Carcajou has been located in the Rosalie-Jetté secondary school since 1979 to welcome the children of the establishment’s students.
The employees have already been looking for a new permanent location since October 2020, after receiving notice of non-renewal.
Watch the full interview above.
