Dear,

• Mr. Graydon Smith, Provincial Member of Parliament
  MP Scott Aitchison, Federal Member of Parliament
• Tammy MacKenzie, CEO, PSDSSAB
• Mayor Jamie McGarvey & Clayton Harris, CAO Parry Sound
• Township of the Archipelago, Carling Township, the Municipality of McDougall, the Township of McKellar, Seguin Township, Town of Parry Sound and the Township of Whitestone

We, the undersigned residents of Parry Sound and surrounding municipalities, are writing to you to express our deep concern regarding the crisis of the lack of daycare facilities for children under 2.5 years old in addition to before and after school care in our community. We believe that this issue requires immediate attention and urgent action from all levels of government, working collectively with other local municipalities, to ensure gender equality, support working families, and foster local economic growth.

We believe that the critical lack of daycare facilities for children under 2.5 years old in our community not only hinders gender equality and support for working families but also poses a significant barrier to the growth and economic opportunities of our town. Furthermore, there is a critical lack of infrastructure for before and after school care placements for children at all local primary schools. Without accessible and reliable daycare options, parents, especially women, face challenges in balancing work and childcare responsibilities, leading to reduced workforce participation and limited economic opportunities. By addressing this issue, we can create an environment that attracts and retains talent, encourages entrepreneurship, and fosters local economic growth.

We, the undersigned, hereby petition you, as our respected community citizens, to take immediate action and collaborate with the relevant authorities, including the Social Service Board and other relevant federal, provincial, and municipal departments, to address the critical lack of daycare facilities for children under 2.5 years old in our community. We believe that by working collectively and considering the impact on the local economy, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for working parents, especially women, while promoting gender equality, economic growth, and social progress.

In order to address this issue effectively, we respectfully request the following actions:

1. Conduct a targeted needs assessment: Initiate a comprehensive assessment of the specific demand for daycare services for children under 2.5 in our community. This should be done in collaboration with other local municipalities to identify the gaps and specific areas that require immediate attention and allow for a more coordinated and efficient approach in addressing this critical age group.

2. Increase funding and support for registered daycare facilities: Advocate for increased funding and resources from federal, provincial, and municipal levels to expand existing registered daycare facilities and establish new ones specifically tailored to meet the needs of children under 2.5 years old. Ensure that these resources are allocated in a way that addresses the specific needs of working mothers and promotes gender equality. Registered daycare facilities provide the necessary structure, trained staff, and guaranteed hours that working parents require.

3. Collaborate with private and non-profit sectors for daycare provision: Seek partnerships with private enterprises and non-profit organizations to develop innovative solutions and expand the availability of registered daycare facilities for children under 2.5 years old. Emphasize the importance of these partnerships in addressing gender inequality, supporting women's professional advancement, and stimulating local economic growth.

4. Promote incentives for registered daycare providers: Introduce incentives, such as tax breaks or grants, to encourage individuals and organizations to provide registered daycare services specifically for children under 2.5 years old. This will help attract more providers to fill the critical gap in this age group and ensure that working parents have access to quality childcare options that support their employment and contribute to the local economy.

5. Engage the community: Organize town hall meetings, focus groups, and forums involving all levels of government, local municipalities, and business associations to engage the community in discussions about the lack of registered daycare for children under 2.5 and its impact on gender equality, local economic growth, and families' decisions to move to or stay in our community. This will ensure that the voices and experiences of working parents, especially women, are heard and their needs are prioritized in the decision-making process.

By signing below, we express our support for this petition and our belief that addressing the critical lack of registered daycare facilities for children under 2.5 years old is essential for promoting gender equality, supporting working families, fostering local economic growth, and creating a thriving community.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We urge you to give due consideration to our petition and take the necessary steps to address the crisis of the lack of registered daycare for children under 2.5 years old in our community while prioritizing gender equality, women's professional advancement, and local economic growth. We also call for collaborative efforts among all levels of government, local municipalities, and business associations to effectively address this issue.