The waiting list is at 41 families, with 21 of those families making less than $20,000 a year. The list is growing each week.

"People are desperate (for child care)," said social services director Terry Sanderson.

Bruce County recently got $400,000 from the province toward child care subsidy costs, but Sanderson said the county needs another $500,000 every year just to keep up with demand.

In the meantime Bruce County will give priority to the poorest of families by giving them first place on the waiting list.

"People are really in a crucial state," Sanderson said. "They're either working at minimum wage or slightly above and they're having to make the decision about do I keep my job or do I go on welfare because I can't get subsidized child care?"

Sanderson called that a 'heartbreaking' situation and set of choices.

The province recently removed means testing on families wanting... read more

After 18 months of...