Kid day care security

Sainte-Rose Daycare: When Private Initiative Fills the Gap Left by Missing Government Standards

Laval - February 2023

Quebec was left in shock when a city bus crashed into the Sainte-Rose daycare, killing two children. The tragedy immediately raised serious questions about safety standards for daycares, schools, and other child-sensitive locations.

Despite the severity of the incident, no clear provincial standards existed — and still do not exist — requiring minimum physical protection around daycare facilities. Too often, these establishments are left on their own, without protective infrastructure and without the financial means to secure their premises.

As in many similar tragedies, governments expressed surprise and promised support — support that, in many cases, never materializes.

Immediate Action by the Private Sector

In the days following the crash, Bollard Canada decided to act without waiting.

At the time, no government funding, subsidy, or protection program was available.

With the help of partners, safety installations were completed without the daycare being asked to contribute a single dollar.

The intervention was made possible through the collaboration of:

Groupe Secure, led by Mr. Jacques Bérubé

Béton Demix

Groupe Halco - Mr. Paul Light

Bollard Canada

Concrete barriers were also supplied by a partner company whose name could not be recalled, and for which an apology is extended.

All work was completed and approved by Ms. Nancy, Director of the Sainte-Rose daycare.

Political Outreach, but No Regulatory Framework

Following the installation, Mr. Paul, President of Bollard Canada, attended a CAQ political event to directly address government representatives.

Minister Yann Lafrenière was approached and informed of the lack of regulation and the actions taken in Laval. He acknowledged the initiative and requested follow-up. He also referred Bollard Canada to his communications director to potentially visit the site once work was completed.

Mr. Paul later met with the Minister of Families, who took time to listen and expressed pride in seeing a private initiative step in to help a daycare affected by tragedy. However, she confirmed that no government program or mandatory standards existed to ensure minimum physical protection for daycares.

The Minister referred Bollard Canada to a ministry inspector. During that discussion, it was clearly stated that no official standard governed the size or resistance of protective posts:

Daycares need serious help

Every day, vehicles move within close range of daycare facilities, creating a persistent and preventable risk in environments where children should be afforded the highest level of protection. While incidents involving vehicles are often categorized as accidental, the underlying exposure remains structural and ongoing.

Safety advocates and industry professionals increasingly argue that governments have a duty to act. Public funding programs exist to ensure safety measures are integrated into new daycare constructions, yet the vast majority of existing facilities remain excluded from any comparable support. This regulatory gap leaves thousands of children exposed to risks simply because their daycare was built before current standards were adopted.

As a result, many are calling for a public inquiry into daycare safety infrastructure, aimed at assessing the real level of risk faced by existing facilities. Such an inquiry would allow for a comprehensive, independent analysis of vehicle-related hazards around daycares, and for clear, evidence-based recommendations to be established.

“We currently have no standard regarding the size of the post, therefore any size is acceptable at this time.”

Experts stress that the findings of this analysis should not remain internal or political, but rather be formally presented to daycare operators, parents, and stakeholders. Providing transparent data, risk assessments, and cost evaluations would empower daycares to make informed decisions and ensure that safety measures are applied consistently across the province.

In the absence of immediate public funding, practical solutions such as the installation of safety bollards are increasingly seen as a necessary interim measure. Bollards create a physical and visual barrier between vehicles and child-focused spaces, reducing the likelihood of accidental intrusions in entrances, drop-off zones, playgrounds, and outdoor areas.

However, many believe that interim solutions cannot replace public responsibility. Protecting children should not depend on the financial capacity of individual daycare operators or on private initiatives alone. Until a province-wide safety assessment is conducted and a dedicated public funding framework is established for existing facilities, the safety of children will remain uneven and uncertain.

For advocates, the conclusion is clear: a public investigation, transparent analysis, and concrete funding commitments are no longer optional—they are essential.

Silence After the Work Was Completed

- Once the installations were completed, several attempts were made to follow up with the ministers involved. No return communication was received.

Ensuring the Tragedy Is Not Repeated

In response, Bollard Canada announced the launch of a support and subsidy program, to be rolled out this year. The goal is to assist daycares that lack both financial resources and institutional support to properly protect their facilities.

The program will initially focus on Quebec, with plans to expand across other Canadian provinces.

A child is the future of our society.

Protecting them today means protecting our tomorrow.

“These two children did not die in vain.

If standards do not yet exist, we will act anyway.”

Photo credits:

The images used in this report are sourced from TVA Nouvelles, CBS News, and Bollard Canada Inc. They are presented for informational and illustrative purposes to reflect real-world incidents and preventive safety solutions related to daycare environments