Employee Spotlight

The City's Employee Spotlight series recognizes and celebrates our people and the great work they do serving the residents of Thunder Bay.

May Employee Spotlight: Tamar Boileau

Tamar Boileau, Childcare Worker at the Canada Games Complex daycare, inherently understands that it takes a village to raise a child. Afterall, she’s been caring for children, dressing, feeding and guiding them since she was 13 in the ‘50s and living in what’s known as a kibbutz community in Israel. Such close-knit, communities value social equality and shared resources including the raising of children. She describes the kibbutz as beautiful and credits it for her special way with children that sees her tell the kids she loves them daily and gives them what she calls an “energy hug” at the end of the day.

“I love my job because I love the children,” she says. “It’s important for children—for everyone—to feel loved,” she says.

It’s that kindness that sees adults who were cared for by Tamar over the past three decades return with their children today. And some who don’t have children at the daycare return nonetheless for a visit and to share a hug.

Tamar came to Thunder Bay after working in the kibbutz from the age of 13 to 33. She met her husband who was visiting Israel from Thunder Bay, and the two fell in love and decided for Tamar to make the move to Canada.

“When I flew to Thunder Bay and saw all the mountains and lakes, I thought I was in heaven,” she says. “I was so impressed by the beauty of all the trees and landscape; it was exciting to move to Canada and make Thunder Bay my home.”

She started a family and found employment as a dance and aerobic instructor and in part-time childcare before starting full-time at the Canada Games Complex daycare in 1986.

“I grow close to the children and their parents; it’s rewarding to help them at this busy stage of their lives.”

Once when a couple came to the daycare unscheduled because they had their dates mixed up, they ran into Tamar who was there working out. She could see they were desperate, so she offered to take the kids on her own time.

“I try to set an example of how to love the kids and my job, because you have to care and give your 110 per cent, and that’s what I do.”

She points to one close call where she had a baby in her arms and tripped backwards over a toy that was left out. She took the fall to save the baby and since then became even more diligent to keep the daycare space clean and tidy.

Although everyone working in the child care room are part-time employees, she relishes in imparting her life experiences to her fellow workers. She just wishes some would stay for a longer time.

“You can’t be alone in a job like this. Children move quickly and you must be nimble,” she says. “Thankfully, I’m a problem-solver and have eyes in the back of my head, which helps me feel if something is going to happen before it happens, and this has allowed me to keep the children safe and accident-free over all these years.”

Employees are encouraged to nominate a colleague for an upcoming Spotlight and help shine a light on the great work underway at the City.

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