Ontario’s Education Minister Paul Calandra has directed all licensed daycare providers to immediately block parking spaces directly beside child-care facilities, citing urgent safety concerns following a deadly crash in Richmond Hill.
In a memo obtained by The Canadian Press, Calandra instructed daycares to restrict vehicle access to spaces near entryways, playgrounds, classroom windows, and exterior walls during operating hours. The order is meant to “better safeguard children and child-care providers” after a 1½-year-old boy was killed and several others injured when an SUV drove into a daycare last week.
Calandra advised operators to use temporary barriers such as pylons, signage, or staff vehicles. Accessible parking spots are exempt from the restrictions.
The tragic incident occurred when a vehicle slammed into a daycare north of Toronto, leaving one child dead, six others injured, and three adults hurt. York Regional Police confirmed that one of the two children previously in critical condition has since been released from hospital.
Child-care centres already equipped with permanent barriers, along with home-based daycares, may continue to use adjacent parking spaces. Providers leasing property have been urged to work with landlords to identify and implement new safety measures.
“We expect all licensees to make every effort to implement these safety measures promptly,” Calandra wrote, emphasizing that facilities near driveways or roundabouts must also assess risks and take action where necessary.
The Ontario government is evaluating permanent solutions to prevent future tragedies. Options under consideration include installing bollards, adding planters, or raising curbs outside daycare properties.
Calandra acknowledged the challenges providers may face, especially with landlord or municipal restrictions, and assured that legislative or regulatory changes could be introduced to remove barriers to implementing protective infrastructure.
“We are actively exploring all options to make it as easy as possible for licensees to install these barriers,” he said.
