Ontario Environment Minister Apologizes After Driving Into Childcare Building

Police tape in a file photo. Scott Olson/Getty Images

Ontario’s Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks Andrea Khanjin is apologizing after her vehicle hit a building that housed a childcare centre, saying she suffered a medical incident and will refrain from driving for the “foreseeable future.”

Barrie Police Service said they responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision around 11 a.m. July 19.

“A motor vehicle came into contact with a building that housed a childcare facility in a plaza located on the southwest corner of Huronia Rd. and Mapleview Dr. E,” police told The Epoch Times in an email.

Police said damage to the vehicle and building was “minimal” but that a pane of glass within the building had broken.

No injuries were reported and no charges have been laid. Police said that because the incident occurred on private property, the Highway Traffic Act was not enforceable.

Ms. Khanjin posted an apology on the X platform, noting she was 31 weeks pregnant with her second child at the time.

“I suffered a medical emergency while driving, and I was involved in a low-speed, single-car accident that regrettably caused property damage at a local business,” she said in a statement linked to the July 24 post.

She said she was trying to park her vehicle at the time.

“This ordeal has been extremely difficult as I care deeply about the safety of families in our community. I remain apologetic to all those impacted.”

Ms. Khanjin said she sought medical care and will be refraining from driving for the “foreseeable future.”

She called the incident “very unfortunate.”

“I remained at the scene, received treatment from first responders, and cooperated fully with authorities,” she wrote in her statement.

“I am thankful that nobody was hurt, and will assist in whatever way I can to support the business as it repairs its damaged property.”

She thanked the first responders for their care, as well as community members who reached out to check on her.

The incident happened just two days before a community barbecue for Ms. Khanjin where photos posted on the minister’s Facebook page show her meeting and talking with people at the event.

Ms. Khanjin moved to Canada when she was 4 years old. She is the first female Progressive Conservative Jewish cabinet minister in the province’s history, according to her website.

She has previously served as parliamentary assistant to the minister of the environment from 2018–2022. Her website says she is also the longest-serving deputy government House leader for the party, a role she has held since 2019.

The minister has also worked as the parliamentary assistant to the minister of intergovernmental affairs and deputy government whip.