Quebec daycares hold province-wide protests

Protests across the province were held todayto denounce the Quebec government's plan to cut $120 million from publicly-subsidized child-care centres.

Thousands of daycare workers, parents and citizens gathered in18 different cities, including Montreal,Quebec City and Gatineau.

• Quebec daycares threaten closures over cuts to provincial funding
• Quebec daycares protest cuts in provincial funding

Many worry Quebec's cuts will affect specialized services in daycares, which help students who have learning difficulties or need extra help with language.

Anne Loiselle sayscuts will directly impactthe care her son receives in daycare.

"For me it was important to be here today," said Loiselle."WithCPEs, it's a big family. We help and receive help."

"If we cut budgets,then theysure cannot continue to do what they do now."

The Association Qubcoise des Centres de la Petite Enfance (AQCPE),the association representing non-profit, publicly-funded daycares, launcheda campaign in January to counter the looming budget cuts.

Louis Sncal, president of the association, says that cutscould mean the loss of over 2,000 jobs including900 alone in the Montreal region.

Quebec daycares could also close their doors as a pressure tactic startingin March.