#202a (June 8/09): NEIGHBOURHOOD DAYCARE URGENTLY NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
world19 has just heard from Alison Gibbins, a local resident and organizer of a neighbourhood parents group (see below) with notice of an important ‘stroller march’ on Tuesday, June 9th at 4 pm at City Hall, in support of neighbourhood daycare (see flyer - PDF format). It seems that City Council’s recent imposition of a one year Interim Control Bylaw on the operation of day nurseries on a section of High Park Avenue (see for example, this May 28 Toronto Star article was just the tip of the iceberg.
The parent group reports that, as part of the City’s ongoing zoning bylaw project), which aims to harmonize bylaws from the pre-amalgamated municipalities, the City is considering a zoning bylaw that would prohibit the operation of day nursery facilities in areas zoned for residential use. In our old City of Toronto, such a restriction would constitute a major deterrent to prospective operators, forcing facilities out of walkable neighbourhoods and onto high priced and less child-friendly, busy mainstreets. This, at a time when the need for local daycare spaces is dire and when the city is also trying to encourage people to leave their cars at home.
Here’s Alison’s note to world19:
Did you know that there are over 15,500 children waiting for subsidized daycare in Toronto? That’s enough children to fill the Air Canada Centre! And there’s even more children waiting for non-subsidized spaces.
I’m a mom and I plan on going back to work in the fall. But I’m on 6 different non-subsidized waiting lists and I probably won’t have a space for my son for September. I’m also the organizer of a neighbourhood parents group (www.meetup.com/TorontoMoms) and we just learned that the City of Toronto is proposing new by-laws that would limit daycares in residential areas.
We are concerned that new proposed zoning by-laws would deter any new day nurseries from opening in our area, along with other residential areas in Toronto.
We have started a Facebook group to gather support on this issue. Please join us at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=84385873991 .
We are also holding a Stroller March on Tuesday, June 9, 4PM at City Hall to raise awareness about the childcare crisis in Toronto and give our feedback to city staff at the committee consultation. We are expecting parents and children from across the city to come out to show their support for neighbourhood daycare. At 5 pm there is a general Q&A session in Committee Room #1 as part of a general Open House hosted by the Planning Department regarding the zoning bylaw project.
We are also looking for volunteers who can help for an hour or two to promote the Stroller March.
Please contact me at Torontoniansfordaycare@gmail.com .
Your support is greatly appreciated!
Alison Gibbins
world19 will continue to report on this important issue. In the meantime, we encourage everyone concerned about the importance of daycare facilities to take a stroll with the strollers on Tuesday and support the pressing need for adequate neighbourhood-based day care facilities.
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Background to the Interim Bylaw
See item EY27.40 in the City Council Decision Document, May 25-27. which contains links to the original Etobicoke York Community Council motion and report from the Chief Planner.
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On behalf of world19,
John Leeson
Eliabeth Lines