The Sarnia Observer
Lambton County council voted Wednesday in favour of holding off on a decision on the Sarnia day care pending the results of the upcoming provincial election. A new Ontario government could reintroduce the $1.3 million in annual provincial funding cut by the Liberals. The county was handed $5 million in transitional funding from the province. To date, the county has used $1.2 million of those funds to cover off a day-care deficit in 2013 and it expects to use $1.1 million in 2014. Coronation Park wages range from $28 to $34 per hour compared to the average rate of $12 to $16 in the private sector. While the salaries and benefits of Coronation Park workers would need to be cut at least in half to cover the bulk of the $1.1-million deficit. Using the transitional funding solely for Coronation Park will impact other children's services offered by the county.