As the strike by early childhood educators in Quebec enters its second week, families across the province are feeling the strain. The strike, which began on April 5, 2025, has affected over 400 childcare centers (CPEs) and involves approximately 13,000 workers affiliated with the Centrale des syndicats nationaux (CSN). This labor dispute has drawn attention to the long-standing issues of pay and working conditions for educators, who are seeking parity with their counterparts in the education and healthcare sectors.
Karina Poulin, a nurse from Sept-Îles, shares her experience of waiting two years for a spot in a CPE for her son. After returning from maternity leave, she and her partner had to navigate their work schedules creatively, often relying on family support to care for their child. "There was always one of us at home, but we never saw each other," she recounts. Despite the challenges, Poulin remains fully supportive of the educators' cause, stating, "They are very rare, because their working conditions are not easy. At the same time, we need them. It’s time for the authorities to give educators what they are asking for and what they deserve."
Similarly, Catherine Drouin, a primary school teacher from Matamek, acknowledges the difficulties presented by the strike but sees it as a necessary step. "It’s definitely asking us to adjust with our commitments and jobs," she explains. Drouin emphasizes the importance of early intervention in child development, questioning why educators for children aged zero to five are not valued as highly as those for older students. "It’s a matter of valuing their work," she adds.
The impact of the strike is not just felt by parents; it has also taken a toll on the educators themselves. François Marceau, an early childhood educator and president of the Syndicat des travailleuses et travailleurs de CPE de Sept-Îles, reports that the CPE Sous le bon toit has lost seven educators since last spring, with three resignations occurring since January. He warns that without progress in negotiations, families may face further disruptions in service. "If we don’t strike and fail to achieve parity with the public education sector, parents will face service breaks," he cautions.
As of April 15, 2025, the strike has reached its 11th day. Marie-Claude Lemieux, Director General of Public and Governmental Affairs, highlights the core issue at the heart of the negotiations: the salaries of educators, which are significantly lower than those of teachers and healthcare workers. She urges parents to voice their support for educators and to influence decision-makers. Lemieux states, "Recognizing their role is crucial, and parents’ voices can make a difference in this fight."
Patrick Lagacé, reporting on the situation, notes that many parents are growing frustrated and demanding that the government find a swift resolution to the conflict, which affects families of 50,000 children across the province. With the strike's continuation, parents are increasingly concerned about the lack of childcare options. Marie-Florence Hébert, a single mother from Sherbrooke, describes the financial and logistical hardships she faces as a result of the strike. "The stress is increasing as negotiations drag on. I fear an unlimited strike because at that point, I don’t know what I will do," she admits.
In a broader context, the strike highlights issues that have persisted for years, particularly the undervaluation of caregiving work, which is predominantly performed by women. Anne Joelle Galipeau, an educator at CPE Château de Grand-mère and president of the union of CPE workers in Montreal and Laval, points out the contradictions in government rhetoric that praises educators while failing to improve their working conditions. "For several years, workers have noticed a contradiction in the government’s discourse, which tells us we are important or that we are guardian angels during the pandemic. But in the end, the demands in our workplace increase without the necessary conditions and resources," she asserts.
Galipeau emphasizes that the strike is not merely about wages; it is about ensuring quality education for young children in a system that is increasingly fragile. "We are defending the right of young children to a quality education in a context where this quality is declining," she states. The educators are also advocating for the rights of mothers to financial autonomy, as many women bear the brunt of the state's failures when it comes to childcare availability.
Camille Robert, a historian specializing in feminist and labor struggles, draws parallels between the current strike and the feminist play "Môman travaille pas, a trop d’ouvrage!" from 1976, which depicts housewives striking for recognition of their invisible labor. Robert notes that the current situation reflects a similar struggle for recognition and support for caregiving work. "When housewives strike, everyone tells them they can’t, because they don’t work. Even in striking, there is a questioning of the invisibility of care work," she explains.
The ongoing strike has prompted parents to lean on their support networks, but Robert warns that this is not a sustainable solution. "At some point, it won’t be possible. We’re exhausting ourselves," she says. The situation raises the question of what it will take for the government to prioritize childcare and education.
As the strike continues, the government has reiterated its position, offering a 17.4% salary increase over five years, which it argues is consistent with offers made to other public sector employees. However, the CSN contends that the existing wage gap between CPE workers and their public sector counterparts must be addressed. The current top of the salary scale for educators barely exceeds $30 per hour, with many workers expressing their dissatisfaction with the proposed increases.
Ultimately, the strike is a call to action for both the government and society at large to recognize the value of early childhood education and the professionals who provide it. As negotiations continue, the stakes remain high for families, educators, and the future of childcare in Quebec.
