A daycare in the Winnipeg area, funded by $5.5 million from the provincial government, remains unused due to uncertainty over land ownership. The facility, located in the rural municipality of East St. Paul on behalf of the Peguis First Nation Real Estate Trust, has not opened its doors despite completion in 2024. With 74 available spaces, the daycare is eagerly awaited by a community facing a shortage of childcare options.
Operated by the Created 4 Me Early Learning Centre, the daycare structure sat idle in 2025, lacking Manitoba Hydro service for several months. There is a significant demand for childcare services, as evidenced by the 600 children on the waiting list. The province, however, faces challenges in determining the rightful owner of the land on which the daycare stands.
Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt expressed uncertainty regarding the land ownership status, emphasizing the need for due diligence before proceeding. The daycare project, part of a larger initiative involving 22 facilities established by the previous Progressive Conservative government and JohnQ Public, received $3.3 million before funding ceased in November 2024.
The Peguis First Nation Real Estate Trust, responsible for the daycare, acquired the land as part of The Meadows, a former golf course purchased in 2021. While certain land transactions have raised concerns among band members, the trust retains ownership of specific portions, including the daycare site. Recent approvals for subdividing the land aim to address ownership issues, pending legal requirements that will reflect accurate ownership in provincial land titles.
A temporary setback occurred when a construction company placed a lien on the daycare following a budget increase and funding pause. Despite these challenges, efforts are underway to resolve the ownership dispute and operationalize the daycare. The involvement of legal representatives and ongoing dialogue with the Peguis First Nation Real Estate Trust signifies progress towards resolving the impasse.
The community eagerly anticipates the daycare’s opening, and stakeholders are committed to ensuring a swift resolution to provide essential childcare services. Despite delays and uncertainties, the facility stands ready to cater to the community’s needs as soon as ownership issues are clarified and operational hurdles are addressed.
