After months of negotiations and uncertainty, a significant breakthrough has emerged in Montreal’s childcare landscape. The Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) announced yesterday an agreement in principle for workers across Quebec’s Centre de la petite enfance (CPE) network, potentially ending a period of labor tension that has affected thousands of families.
The agreement, which still needs ratification from union members, covers approximately 11,000 workers in CPEs across the province, with Montreal representing the largest concentration of affected daycares.
“This represents a significant step forward for our members who have been working tirelessly through challenging conditions,” said Stéphanie Vachon, representative for the Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux (FSSS-CSN), in a statement obtained by LCN.today.
The tentative agreement addresses several key issues that have been at the heart of negotiations, including wage improvements, working conditions, and resources for children with special needs. While specific details remain confidential pending member review, sources close to the negotiations suggest the agreement includes moderate wage increases and provisions for additional support staff.
Parents across Montreal expressed relief at the news. Marie-Claude Lamontagne, a mother of two children attending a CPE in Rosemont, told me, “The uncertainty has been difficult. We’ve been scrambling to find backup care during strike days, which affects our work schedules and adds stress to our family life.”
The childcare sector in Quebec has faced mounting pressures in recent years. A 2022 study by the Institut de la statistique du Québec revealed that staff turnover in CPEs has increased by nearly 18% since 2019, with working conditions frequently cited as a primary factor.
For educators like Isabelle Tremblay, who has worked at a CPE in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve for over 15 years, the agreement offers hope. “We love our work, but we need proper support and recognition,” she explained during a conversation outside her center. “It’s not just about wages – it’s about having the resources to provide quality care for every child.”
Montreal’s CPE network serves as a cornerstone for working families. According to data from Quebec’s Ministry of Family, over 38,000 children in Montreal depend on the CPE system, representing roughly 30% of all spots in the province’s subsidized daycare network.
The negotiation process hasn’t been without disruption. Limited strike actions in October affected several Montreal-area daycares, with parents receiving as little as 24 hours’ notice to find alternative arrangements. The economic impact extended beyond families, with employers reporting increased absenteeism and productivity challenges when workers needed to stay home with children.
“The ripple effects of daycare disruptions are significant,” noted François Meunier from the Association des restaurateurs du Québec. “Many service industry workers depend on reliable childcare, and when that’s unavailable, businesses struggle to maintain operations.”
The Ministry of Family has maintained that service stability remains a priority. Minister Suzanne Roy stated that the government remains “committed to ensuring accessible, quality childcare for all Quebec families” while respecting the negotiation process.
What makes this agreement particularly significant is its arrival during a period of expansion for Quebec’s childcare network. The provincial government has committed to creating 37,000 new subsidized spaces by 2025, with approximately 13,000 targeted for Montreal – an ambitious goal requiring a stable workforce.
The ratification process will unfold over the coming weeks, with union representatives traveling to CPEs across the province to present details and hold votes. For now, regular operations continue at Montreal daycares, providing a measure of stability for families who have weathered months of uncertainty.
As I walked through Parc La Fontaine yesterday afternoon, I noticed several CPE groups enjoying the autumn weather – a reminder of the essential role these educators play in nurturing the next generation of Montrealers. Whether this agreement will provide the foundation for long-term stability in our childcare system remains to be seen, but for today, it offers a glimmer of hope in a sector vital to
