Stevens calls for support as 44 St. Catharines child care spaces at risk from rent increase of nearly $160,000

QUEEN’S PARK – NDP MPP Jennie Stevens (St. Catharines) called on the Minister of Infrastructure to immediately reverse their hike rent of nearly $160,000 per year on a St. Catharines child care centre - which is now under threat of closing.

“People in my community – and across Ontario – are already struggling to find affordable child care places,” said Stevens. “If this centre were to close, countless families would lose out on the reliable, affordable care they need. We need to ensure they stay open.”

A Child’s World is a child care centre located on 301 St. Paul St., a building owned by the Ministry of Infrastructure, which directly serves the children of provincial employees. Infrastructure Ontario recently informed them that ‘full market rate rents’ would apply to child care operators in government buildings starting September 2024.

Since 1995, the cost of rent has been $10 per year. With this increase, it would skyrocket to $160,000.

“We need immediate action to save this centre,” said Stevens. “These are hard-working families and I am calling on the Minister to immediately get to the bottom of this, withdraw this aggressive rent hike, and ensure these spots remain available”.