To the University of Ottawa community:
We are the child care workers of Garderie Bernadette Child Care Centre and members of the Bernadette Workers Union.
We want your help to save Garderie Bernadette from closing on May 31, 2026.
The University of Ottawa has taken an arbitrary, short-sighted decision to close the Garderie Bernadette on May 31, 2026, ending 37 years of affordable, on-campus, bilingual daycare for students, staff and faculty. Recently, we received notice management is closing the centre on April 2.
Closing Bernadette will result in the immediate, irreplaceable loss of 49 childcare spots for parents of infants, toddlers and pre-school children of university parents.
Our members will lose their jobs, their livelihoods and their deep connection with the University of Ottawa community.
Back in 2022, the University of Ottawa re-committed itself to supporting our non-profit daycare on campus.
We believe the University of Ottawa can be persuaded again to find a space for Garderie Bernadette with persistent, significant pressure from the University of Ottawa community and allies throughout Ottawa.
Given the state of crisis of access to affordable childcare in Ottawa, we believe there is a strong argument for us as workers and you as parents and community members to advocate for the continuation of our childcare centre.
We, as the workers and backbone of Garderie Bernadette, are committed to continue serving the University of Ottawa community, either as a non-profit daycare or a worker cooperative daycare. We see the need and the important role we play every day in making the University of Ottawa a great place to study and work for today’s parents in higher education.
We urge you to help us save Garderie Bernadette and to build a strong partnership with us as unionized childcare workers.
The first step is to let the university leadership know they have made a mistake. Send them an email to demand the university find a space for the daycare so we can continue to do our jobs, caring for children and supporting university families.
Marie-Ève Sylvestre, President and Vice-Chancellor: msylvest@uottawa.ca
Éric Bercier, Interim vice-president, finance and administration: vpfa@uottawa.ca
Annick Bergeron, Secretary-General: UOSecretariat@uOttawa.ca
Make sure you copy us on your email: bernadetteworkersunion@gmail.com
Email them today! Share our call for action with your colleagues and neighbours.
In solidarity,
Bernadette Workers Union