Montreal to offer drop-in daycare to citizens at city council question period

MONTREAL – Fits and tantrums during Montreal city council meetings won’t just be reserved for chambers starting next week.

The City of Montreal has announced it will offer child care in two separate rooms in an attempt to increase citizen participation at the meetings.

They will be staffed by bilingual educators and no reservations are needed.

Mayor Denis Coderre is behind the initiative, a gesture designed to boost local democracy.

The service will begin with this coming Monday night’s meeting.

City spokeswoman Catherine Maurice says elected officials will be able to take advantage as well.

“This is great news for parents of young children who wish to speak to elected officials on local issues that affect them,” says Marie-Eve Brunet, Verdun borough councillor and the administration’s spokeswoman on work-life conciliation.

Earlier this week, Coderre announced a similar service at the downtown Ville-Marie borough council meetings.