In response to a tragic incident at a Richmond Hill daycare, the province's education minister is advocating for new safety measures. The crash, which occurred at the First Roots Early Education Academy, resulted in the death of a one-and-a-half-year-old boy and injuries to nine others.

On Thursday, Minister Paul Calandra, who also serves as the Markham-Stouffville MPP, announced that childcare operators should eliminate parking spaces located directly next to entryways, windows, and exterior walls of classrooms or playgrounds. However, accessible parking spaces will not be affected by this change.

The incident took place Wednesday afternoon when an SUV crashed through a large glass window of the daycare, located near Yonge Street and Nottingham Drive. Following the crash, the toddler was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead. As of Thursday afternoon, two other children remained in critical condition, while four additional children and three adult staff members were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Vinay Kumar Gupta, a 70-year-old driver from Richmond Hill, was arrested at the scene. He faces charges of dangerous operation causing death and two counts of dangerous operation causing bodily harm. Police have stated that the crash was “not a deliberate act.”

In light of the incident, Calandra has ordered inspections of childcare facilities across Ontario to identify potential vulnerabilities. He stated, "Our government will make any necessary legislative or regulatory amendments to municipal or landlord restrictions that currently prevent the installation of protective barriers such as bollards, planters, elevated curbs, and other physical infrastructure to protect children and workers in these settings."

These proposed policy changes will apply to all childcare centers in the province, excluding those operating in private homes, and will be implemented immediately.

Following the crash, many concerned parents and residents took to social media to discuss the absence of safety barriers, such as bollards, that could have prevented the incident. Multiple petitions have emerged, gathering hundreds of signatures, urging for enhanced safety measures at childcare facilities.

Lauren Haensel, a Vaughan resident whose children do not attend First Roots, initiated one of the petitions. She is advocating for increased curb heights to prevent vehicles from driving over them, government funding for safety assessments at childcare facilities, and the installation of physical safeguards like bollards. Additionally, she suggests that individuals reaching retirement age should be required to retake their driving tests regularly, especially with the rise of electric vehicles.

Haensel expressed her concerns, stating, "These accidents are not just driver mistakes. They are preventable tragedies that can be mitigated through stronger regulations, smarter vehicle design, and safer infrastructure. Our children deserve spaces where parents can feel truly safe leaving them."

As a parent of a toddler, Haensel noted that similar incidents have weighed heavily on her mind while selecting a daycare for her son. She acknowledged the financial burden that installing safety measures could impose on daycare owners and landlords, urging the government to provide support.

"It’s forcing people to choose between money and safety. I think that is just wrong in principle and safety needs to come first. The decision shouldn’t be pushed out to us regular people," she said.

Urban planner Shauna Brail, an associate professor and director at the University of Toronto’s Institute for Management and Innovation, described the incident as "tragic" but refrained from commenting on how the lack of bollards may have influenced the severity of the crash. She noted, "Sometimes things seem obvious only after a very devastating event, and it’s unfortunately really difficult (and probably impractical) to envision and plan for a city that takes into consideration every possible catastrophe."

The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this heartbreaking event as discussions about safety measures gain momentum.