The College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE), the regulatory body that certifies DECEs and RECEs in Ontario, has informed their members that their annual registration fee will increase by 9.4% this year. DECEs and RECEs must maintain their certification in order to work in the field.
OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick has sent the following letter demanding the reversal of this fee increase to the Registrar and Council Chair of the CECE, copied to Minister of Education Todd Smith; NDP MPP and official opposition education critic Chandra Pasma; Liberal MPP and education critic Karen McCrimmon, and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner:
July 26, 2024Kristine Parsons, RECE, Council Chair
Beth Deazeley, LL.B., Registrar and CEO
College of Early Childhood Educators
375 University Avenue, Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario M5G 2J5Dear Kristine Parsons and Beth Deazeley,
I have recently learned that the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE) is imposing an almost 10% annual registration fee increase this October on Early Childhood Educators. OPSEU/SEFPO represents more than 1,000 Designated Early Childhood Educators who work in schools, as well as Registered Early Childhood Educators who work in various childcare centre settings.
Our Designated Early Childhood Educator members in school boards got the news about this large jump in fees just as they were being laid off for the summer. This is an unacceptable increase, given that they barely earn a living wage, and many other Registered Early Childhood Educators across the province earn less than a living wage.
During a cost-of-living crisis like the one we’ve all been enduring for the past few years, it is unacceptable to put this extra burden on a mostly female, low-income workforce who must pay this fee in order to work in the profession they love.
On behalf of OPSEU/SEFPO, I call on you to immediately reverse this fee increase on Early Childhood Educators. We stand with our fellow education unions, the Ontario Federation of Labour, and the Ontario Coalition for Better Childcare in saying that the CECE should find ways to balance their budget without placing an additional financial burden on underpaid Early Childhood Educators.
Sincerely,
JP Hornick
OPSEU/SEFPO PresidentCC: Hon. Todd Smith, Minister of Education
Chandra Pasma, MPP, ONDP Education Critic
Karen McCrimmon, MPP, OLP Education Critic
Mike Schreiner, Leader, Green Party of Ontario
Melody Hurtubise, A/Chair, OPSEU/SEFPO Boards of Education Sector
Patricia Zonta, Chair, OPSEU/SEFPO Community Agencies Sector