GOVERNMENT DECISION PREVENTS CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FOUR FROM ENROLLING IN SUMMER CAMP

(Queen’s Park) – Today, Sylvia Jones MPP Dufferin-Caledon questioned the Minister of Education regarding changes made in the Child Care and Early Years Act that would prevent children under the age of four from attending summer camp.

“The government has decided that children entering the school system in September that are under the age of four will be unable to attend summer camps,” Jones said.

“This decision has taken Ontario families and summer camp operators by surprise, as the Ontario Camps Association wasn’t event consulted about this change,” Jones said.

“One parent informed me that half her child’s classroom will be participating in summer camp, while the other half will be unable to simply because they’ll still be three years old by the time camp starts,” Jones said.

“We allow children who will be turning four by the end of the year to register for school, and yet they are not allowed to attend summer camp,” Jones said.

“Education professionals, including developmental psychologists, have told me there is absolutely no science to support the Minister’s decision. This is another example of the government ignoring experts before making decisions that impact our province’s families,” Jones said.

“No child should be left behind simply because of their age. The Minister should correct this error and allow children who will be turning four by December 31st to attend summer camp this year,” Jones said.

To read more about what Jones is doing in the Legislature please visit: www.sylviajonesmpp.ca.

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For more information, contact:
Christopher Dacunha
416-325-1898
sylvia.jonesla@pc.ola.org