Memo sets out new rules for parking outside Ontario daycares in wake of deadly crash

Police attend the scene where an SUV crashed into a daycare killing a 1 1/2-year-old child in Richmond Hill, Ont. on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sharif Hassan

Ontario’s education minister has instructed licensed daycare providers to immediately prevent the use of parking spaces directly adjacent to child-care facilities, according to a memo obtained by The Canadian Press, days after a toddler was killed when an SUV crashed into a daycare north of Toronto.

Paul Calandra — who first proposed the measures several days ago — said in the memo sent to daycares Monday that the goal is to “better safeguard” children and child-care providers.

Calandra said all parking spaces that are adjacent to daycare entryways, playgrounds, windows and exterior walls of classrooms should be blocked off during hours of operation until additional safety measures are implemented.

The memo suggested daycare staff use temporary barriers such as pylons, signage and staff vehicles to block the parking spaces, with the exception of accessible parking.

The instructions come after a vehicle crashed last week into a daycare in Richmond Hill, Ont., leaving a 1 1/2-year-old boy dead and injuring six other young children and three adults.

York Regional Police said Monday that one of two children who were still in critical condition days after the crash has since been released from the hospital.

In his letter, Calandra said child-care centres that are already protected by vehicle barriers and those located inside private residences could continue to use adjacent parking spaces. Daycare providers that operate out of leased properties should reach out to their landlords to discuss safety measures, Calandra said.

“We expect all licensees to make every effort to implement these safety measures promptly,” he wrote.

“If there are other areas of your child-care facility that may pose a possible risk, such as located near driveways or roundabouts, please use your best judgment to assess and determine if additional safety measures may be needed.”

He said the government is working to “identify any vulnerabilities” that may require permanent solutions such as installing bollards, placing planters or elevating the curbs outside daycares.

Calandra said daycares can report any resistance they are facing in making the changes, acknowledging the challenges that might come with implementation of the new measures.

“We are actively exploring all options to make it as easy as possible for licensees to install these barriers,” he said.

“This includes any necessary legislative or regulatory changes to remove municipal or landlord restrictions that currently prevent the installation of protective barriers.”

Andrea Hannen, the executive director of the Association of Day Care Operators of Ontario, said the daycare community is still reeling nearly a week after the tragic crash.

“We’re continuing to hold the families and staff at First Roots (Early Education Academy) in our thoughts as they come to terms with the loss and trauma they’ve suffered,” she said in a phone interview.

Hannen said she was glad the government decided to act to address parents’ unease over their children’s safety.

“The licensed child-care sector is pretty receptive to taking whatever preventive measures ... can be taken to make sure that kind of thing doesn’t happen again,” she said.

But Hannen added the government should understand that bringing the proposed changes might not be as easy as “writing an edict.”

“The province needs to be prepared to follow up with some funding to help daycares and landlords make the changes that they envision,” she said, adding that the associated costs were a “big omission” in the memo.

She noted there are thousands of licensed daycares in the province that might need a “different parking configuration and different considerations,” and that the government needs to consult with the daycare community as it moves forward with the plan.

“It’s going to be fairly complicated to implement,” she said of the new measures.

Hannen also raised concerns that the implementation of any ban on using existing parking spaces might be problematic for some daycares if their landlords don’t co-operate. Facilities may also have to reduce the size or number of parking spaces if they lose spots adjacent to the building, which could introduce bylaw violations.

She said some member providers are telling her: “You know what, I really want to do this. I think this is important. But I just don’t have the money.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 15, 2025.

Sharif Hassan, The Canadian Press