The Ontario government is investing $20 million to install concrete barriers at childcare centres after a 17-month-old toddler was killed at a Richmond Hill daycare when a driver crashed through the front window. “In Liam’s honour, we are investing $20 million to launch the Liam Riazati Memorial Fund,” said Education Minister Paul Calandra at a press conference Monday morning. Multiple other children and adults were hurt, forcing Calandra to order daycare operators to close parking spaces in front of vulnerable doors and windows. The director at St. John’s Christian Nursery School in Waterloo wasted no time. “Our playground is very vulnerable being in the middle of the parking lot,” said Christine Helgerman. The new program will have childcare centres apply in the new year to get access to temporary concrete barriers from a pre-approved vendor. “Community-based childcare operators will be able to access a simple application process that will make it easy for them to arrange the delivery and installation of the barriers that will be supplied free of charge,” said Calandra. But what about daycare operators like St. John’s Nursery School, which installed barriers right away? “It ended up costing us $15,000,” said Helgerman. “I’m kind of wondering if there will be some funding for us. Is the barrier that we put in ok? Is it an allowable one?” In a memo from the province to daycare operators, and obtained by CTV News, it seems like they may be out of luck – at least for now. “The initiative is focused on centres that have not yet been able to install safety barriers,” the memo read in part. “While we deeply appreciate the proactive steps taken by centres that already have safety barriers in place, related expenses will not be reimbursed, as the funding is directed toward outstanding safety needs across Ontario.” Calandra said the $20 million is a starting point and this is just a temporary fix. “We wanted to be able to get out there and look at those locations that have the most pressing needs,” he said. The provincial government is open to adding more funding while they look at other options that may be more permanent – like bollards. But at St. John’s Nursery School, the concrete slabs seem to be working. “We actually have had a few cars hit, not on impact, but they’ve come into the parking lot a little bit fast and have hit the barrier. So it does show that added protection,” said Helgerman. Provincial consultations on the concrete barriers are expected to take a few months, with legislation to follow.
