Directive on reduced contribution | Children of immigrants summoned to leave their CPE

In the coming days. Nevertheless, Suzanne Minkam could lose everything: the place of her 17 -month -old daughter in subsidized daycare and her job as an educator – and therefore the responsibility of the eight children she takes care of at the CPE L’Astradication Mignon, in Longueuil.

Posted at 5:00 a.m.

“For me, it’s really difficult because I’m alone here with my daughter. For example, I am a single-parent mother and I don’t know what to do, ”she says.

Arrival from Cameroon two years ago, it has an open work permit valid for three years. Similarly, “My salary does not directive reduced contribution | children allow me to pay a place in private daycare,” she deplores. Nevertheless, In the absence of a room for her daughter, she is forced to seek a better paid job. Consequently,

The situation of Suzanne Minkam is not unique. However, An even undetermined number of families across Quebec are affected by a wave of children from their subsidized daycare centers. For example,

In question: a recent directive from the Ministry of the Family recalling that. However, the children of parents holding an open work permit are not eligible for the reduced contribution.

However, for several daycare services, it is not a simple reminder, but a real turnaround.

“There is a lot of confusion. In addition, misunderstanding because we thought we had the right way to proceed,” deplores Claudia directive reduced contribution | children Beaudin, director of the CPE L’A attrait, in Longueuil. Nevertheless, “This morning. In addition, I reread the guide and from one paragraph to another, we no longer know on which foot to dance. Furthermore, »»

M^me Beaudin says directive reduced contribution | children that he started to identify problematic cases in his CPE, especially in a family environment (the CPE is also a coordinating office for places in the family environment).

Directive reduced contribution | children

Children withdrawn

In several regions. such as Estrie, Mauricie or the Capitale-Nationale, childcare departments confirm having agreements with parents with an open permit. In a case, a daycare service in Sherbrooke must withdraw 17 children.

In Quebec. an employee of a subsidized daycare center, herself holding an open work permit, learned that her daughter would lose her place.

“I am an administrative assistant. So, the director’s right arm … in two weeks, I don’t know what my daughter happens. And suddenly. I will have to find a better paid job to pay an unubnamed daycare, “said the directive reduced contribution | children woman, who asked not to be appointed so as not to identify the daycare center where she works.

Everywhere, managers claim to have acted in good faith.

“We tried several times to have answers to see where we were going with that. Then, we worked with the answers we obtained. Me, I have directions that are angry and who say: who is penalized for that? These are the parents. ”explains Élise Paradis, director of the grouping of the CPEs of the Quebec and Chaudière-Appalaches regions.

In a written answer to our questions. the Ministry of the Family says that “there was no recent change in the rules”.

The reduced contribution regulations, in force since 2006, “has never been changed,” said one. Additionally, The ministry adds that it considers that directive reduced contribution | children it is “a good faith error”. does not intend to retroactively claim the subsidies paid, to parents or to daycare.

Contradictory directives

But in the field, several managers claim that the government itself had given them contrary indications.

“On August 28. 2015, the Ministry of the Family sent us an official email asking to apply in a flexible way article 15 of the reduced contribution regulation,” recalls Daphné Desrochers-Longchamps, director of the Hautes-Marées Coordinator Bureau, in Quebec. This directive then allowed the eligibility for the reduced contribution for holders of open licenses. with a few exceptions, she said.

“Until March 2025, the information agents told us that the work permits were always accepted. And there, we received an official email from the ministry saying that, no, no, it is not allowed. directive reduced contribution | children And it is written as if we had made a fault. »»

In this sector of Sainte-Foy-Sillery, one of the most multicultural in the Capitale-Nationale, the team has already analyzed 70 files. Result: “If I apply the ministry’s rule as it is. I have 45 cases where I would have to say to parents: sorry, you no longer have access, she notes. And I have 30 files to analyze. »»

Meanwhile. childcare departments are trying to see if some parents can regularize their file-for example, if the other parent has directive reduced contribution | children a closed work permit. But with an imposed time of only 14 days, the task is difficult, especially in the summer.

“It doesn’t look,” says Claudia Beaudin.

She insists on the human consequences: “I really think of children. These are children who are used to, who have a routine in a place they love, with adults they know. It’s reassuring. And there, overnight, they are removed their daycare service. And there are parents who will no longer be able to work, ”she concludes.