From Revoked Garderie to Shadowy Day Camp: The Alarming Loophole Threatening Children in Lachine

In the heart of Lachine, West Island of Montreal, a faded sign still clings to a building on Victoria Street, announcing the “Garderie Les Anges d’espoir.” To a passing parent, it might look like a typical childcare center. However, behind these walls lies a disturbing story of regulatory failure and a dangerous legal loophole that puts children at risk.

The Fall of a Licensed Daycare

The history of this establishment is fraught with warnings. In April 2023, the Ministère de la Famille revoked the permit of the garderie (daycare) owned by Lillie Dione Suh Somanji. The decision followed a series of severe infractions that would alarm any parent, including:

n
• Lack of Supervision: Reports of children falling from chairs and hitting each other with toys while staff remained idle.
• Ratio Violations: Failure to maintain the legal child-to-staff ratio.
• Safety Breaches: Shocking reports of alcoholic beverages being consumed on the premises during service hours.

Despite these “horror stories,” as described by local observers, the owner found a way to continue operating—albeit under a different guise.

A “Day Camp” in a Storage Room

After the forced closure of her licensed garderie, Ms. Somanji opened a private day camp using the same name: Anges d’espoir. The conditions, however, were far from educational. The camp operated out of a tiny 20-square-meter room—originally intended for storage—where a dozen children aged 6 to 12 were kept.

Witnesses describe a bleak environment where children spent hours in the dim light of a room with no windows, while the monitor reportedly spent most of the day on a smartphone. Even more concerning was the lack of basic facilities; the room had no bathroom, forcing children to trek through a neighboring social pediatric center.

The Breaking Point: No Toilets and Silent Cries

The situation escalated when the neighboring Centre de pédiatrie sociale communautaire (CPSC) of Lachine banned the camp’s access to their toilets due to a lack of insurance and poor supervision. This led to a harrowing incident where children were reportedly trapped in the room from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM without restroom access, leading to chaos and screams.

Reports indicate that one child was heard crying for over 30 minutes, appearing to struggle for breath, before a staff member from the pediatric center intervened to ensure the child was attended to.

A Legislative Blind Spot

Perhaps the most frustrating part of this case is the legal impasse. Despite visits from the Borough of Lachine, the SPVM (Montreal Police), and the DPJ (Youth Protection), the camp remained open. Why?

Because it is classified as a private day camp and not a licensed garderie, it falls into a legislative “blind spot.” Local officials stated that since the operation is private, the borough lacks the direct authority to shut it down based on standard daycare regulations.

What Parents Need to Know

This case serves as a stark reminder for parents to vet their childcare providers thoroughly. When choosing a garderie or a summer camp in Quebec, it is essential to verify licenses through official government portals.

For more information on childcare standards and how to report unsafe conditions, you can visit the Ministère de la Famille or contact the Youth Protection services (DPJ).

The vulnerability of children should never be a byproduct of legal technicalities. As the community of Lachine continues to voice its concern, the hope is that provincial authorities will close these loopholes to ensure no other child has to spend their summer in a darkened storage room.