MNO Announces the Future Site of the Penetanguishene Métis Child Care Centre
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is excited to announce the development of the Little Harbour Métis Child Care Centre in Penetanguishene, Ontario.
The new two-storey, 7,000 square foot facility will feature two preschool classrooms, two toddler classrooms, and one infant classroom, each with direct access to outdoor play areas. The building will also hold a staff room, staff and family support resource room, administration office, multi-purpose room, universal washroom, and elevator. The building is designed to be barrier-free and accessible to all, complying with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act standards.
“The development of the Little Harbour Métis Child Care Centre in Penetanguishene reflects our commitment to supporting Métis children, families, and communities,” says Mitch Case, MNO Provincial Secretary of Education. “This centre will play a vital role in strengthening our Métis community by creating a nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive while remaining deeply connected to their culture, heritage, and way of life.”
This project has been made possible, in part, through funding from the Government of Canada’s Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) Transformation Initiative, as well as a start-up grant allocated by the County of Simcoe, and through contributions from the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada.
The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) Transformation Initiative supports the development of culturally relevant, high-quality early learning and child care. It is guided by a partnership model that enables Indigenous-led, distinction-based decision-making, reflecting the unique cultures, aspirations, and needs of Indigenous children and families across Canada.
The County of Simcoe’s Directed Growth initiative is supported under the Canada-Ontario Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, which provides long term, stable funding to reduce parent fees, expand licensed child care spaces, improve workforce wages and retention, and strengthen quality and inclusion. Through this application process, MNO has been awarded 32 CWELCC spaces for 2026—six infant, 10 toddler, and 16 for preschool-aged children.
“The new Little Harbour Métis Child Care Centre in Penetanguishene marks an important milestone in advancing Métis-led early learning and child care programs and services,” says The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario. “It will also create meaningful employment opportunities for members of the community. Through the collaborative efforts of all partners involved, Métis children will have the opportunity to learn in a safe, culturally grounded environment that fosters a strong sense of identity and belonging for generations to come.”
“On behalf of County Council, I’d like to thank the Provincial and Federal Governments for their investment in child care programs for the communities we serve,” says Basil Clarke, Warden for the County of Simcoe. “The County is honoured to allocate funding to the Little Harbour Métis Child Care Centre, in partnership with the Métis Nation of Ontario, to support strong, locally-based programs that will continue building up the next generation of leaders in our communities.”
The future site of the Penetanguishene Little Harbour Métis Child Care Centre is set to be built at 15 Sheffcote St., Penetanguishene with a completion date at the end of fall 2026. A sod turning photo opportunity took place on June 19, 2026 where MNO leadership, local government officials, funders, and community members came together to celebrate the announcement of the new child care centre.
ABOUT THE MÉTIS NATION OF ONTARIO:
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is the democratically elected—federally and provincially recognized—government of Métis citizens and communities in Ontario, including the Métis community in and around Sault Ste. Marie that was recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada in R v. Powley. The MNO represents more than 32,000 Section 35 rights-bearing Métis Citizens in Ontario. Since signing the Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Implementation Agreement with Canada in 2023, the MNO has continued to strengthen its institutions, advance self-determination, and build productive partnerships across government and industry.