Social distancing requirements from the COVID-19 pandemic have caused day care facilities to reduce their capacity by half, leaving some parents unable to find a place for their child so they can return to work.

“I’d like to go back to work, of course, because I’m scared I’m going to lose the job,” Cherie Luague, a Montreal-area mother who worked at a clothing manufacturing outlet told CTV News.

Provinces are beginning the gradual process of reopening the economy, but a continued freeze on most child-care services is often preventing parents from returning to the workforce.

Montreal-area businesses and daycares began reopening in late May and early June. But daycare centers for children are only able to accommodate half of their capacity due to physical distancing measures. Schools are closed.

Luague said she has nowhere to send her son should she return to work.

"More than three million Canadians are out of work thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Statistics Canada, and 2.5 million more had their hours slashed as public health restrictions forced the closure of businesses and sent workers home," CTV said. "In most cases, child-care centres and services have closed for all but essential workers."

“If I'm traveling to the stores and my husband is left at home with the two kids all throughout the day, then he can’t get his work done,” said Jill Holancin, a retail district manager. “It’s scary. Neither of us wants to lose our job during a pandemic.”