MEDIA ADVISORY: Rally in Whitby on Tuesday: CUPE education workers and community allies to protest closure of beloved children’s program

Event Information

Begins: 15 April 2025
Location: Whitby, ON

The Durham District School Board is closing the Care for Newcomer Children service after 25 years of operation

WHITBY, ON –(COMMUNITYWIRE)– On Tuesday, education workers at the Durham District School Board will rally to demand an immediate reversal of the school board’s decision to shutter a beloved childminding program for newcomers to Canada.

The Care for Newcomer Children (CNC) offers free on-site childminding services for newcomer parents attending English language classes. The CNC has provided free childminding services for over 25 years for those enrolled in the Durham Continuing Education English instruction classes.

Durham Continuing Education, which is a part of the Durham District School Board, is closing the CNC Pickering location in June 2025. The only other CNC location will be in Oshawa, up to a 45-minute drive away for students previously using the Pickering location services. The Oshawa program is scheduled to close in June 2026.

CUPE 218 is calling on the Durham District School Board to reverse its decision to close the two CNC sites immediately.

WHO:
CUPE 218 Education workers; Carrie Boisvert, president of CUPE 218; community allies

WHAT:
Rally to demand the Durham District School Board reverse the closures of the Care for Newcomer Children program

WHERE:
Durham District School Board, 400 Taunton Rd E, Whitby 

WHEN:
Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 5:30 p.m.

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For more information, contact:

Zee Noorsumar, CUPE Communications
znoorsumar@cupe.ca
647-995-9859