Northern Ont. joins Canada-wide rally for early childhood educators

As groups representing early childhood educators (ECEs) held rallies across Canada on Wednesday in support of a National Day of Action, workers in northern Ontario are speaking out.

In Ontario, the theme was 'Worth More,' and calls for increased wages for education support workers.

Sudbury’s Discovery Early Learning and Care hosted a walk-in, encouraging parents to sign a petition calling for a national and provincial workforce strategy.

Advocacy groups said that while the $10/day daycare plan is excellent news for parents, workers are left out of the equation.

"Most educators are earning less than $20 an hour. They don’t have benefits or a pension. No paid sick time,” says Tracy Saarikoski, executive director.

"No programming time, so (they are) expected to do professional learning in the evenings on their own time."

Amanda Rose is a registered early childhood educator who’s passionate about her job, but like many in her profession said she felt tempted at times to leave the industry.

"I have reached out for other opportunities and looked at other opportunities because, at the end of the day, it's just going to be easier to have that money in my bank account to be able to pay my bills at the end of the month," Rose said.

"But, it's that passion I have for the kids, I can’t not do what I love."

Workers in Sudbury told CTV News addressing the salary is a significant concern, with many leaving the industry in droves or taking on a second job just to make ends meet.

"Registered and early childhood educators only stay working in the profession for an average of three years before they burn out or have to go and work in another sector because they can not make a living," said Carolyn Ferns, of Ontario Coalition for Better Childcare.

"So we need to change that."

Mavis Vachon is a full-time ECE student working two jobs, one as a childcare worker. She said while she’s not in the industry for the money, she’d like to be able to support herself in a career that she loves.

"Some days I do go home and I feel exhausted," Vachon said.

"But I do it because I love them. They’re so smart and they deserve that care."

Groups are calling for a wage increase to $25 per hour for all childcare workers and $30 an hour for registered early childhood educators.

They are also calling for benefits, paid sick leave and professional development time.