Alberta Montessori childcare group placed under interim receivership

ANS 1993 Ltd., 1416452 Alberta Ltd., 2242246 Alberta Ltd., 2308213 Alberta Ltd., 786 N and S Enterprises Ltd. and P & N Development Ltd., a related group that operates childcare and early-learning facilities in the Edmonton region, were placed into interim receivership on July 2, 2026, on application by Royal Bank of Canada, owed approximately $5.84 million.

The companies operate childcare centres under several names. Root Montessori ELC 1 operates from condominium premises at 6413 Cartmell Place SW in Edmonton, while Root Montessori ELC 2 was being developed at 751 Daniels Way SW. The group also operates Little Star Montessori Early Learning Centre and Roots Montessori Early Learning Centre-Pioneer in Spruce Grove, Dickinsfield Child Development Centre in Edmonton, and Learned Robin Day Care, Learned Robin Montessori Daycare and Seven Stones Daycare & OSC in downtown Edmonton.

The borrowing relationships were established through loan agreements entered into between September 19, 2023 and July 9, 2025. RBC’s facilities included a $3.195 million term loan to 2242246 Alberta, a $1.3566 million term loan to ANS 1993, a $637,000 equipment lease to 786 N and S Enterprises, and several revolving demand and credit-card facilities.

In support of its receivership application, RBC relied on a continuing pattern of payment defaults, increasing tax liabilities, unsuccessful asset-sale efforts and failures to provide requested financial information. The bank issued demands and notices of intention to enforce security on November 4, 2025, requiring payment within 10 days, but received no payment by November 14.

The companies attempted to address their debt through asset sales and a forbearance arrangement. An affiliated company, 2366979 Alberta Ltd., was sold on December 11, 2025, with the respondents assuming approximately $8,523 of its remaining RBC debt. A proposed sale of 2308213 Alberta generated a $400,000 deposit but did not close. As of February 13, the borrowing group also owed approximately $721,625 to Canada Revenue Agency, including approximately $473,586 attributed to P & N Development.

RBC entered into a forbearance agreement with the respondents on April 7. The agreement contemplated payments of $50,000 on May 1, June 1 and July 1, followed by repayment of the remaining RBC debt on July 31. The first payment was not made. RBC initially extended the deadline to May 15 and then to May 21, but terminated the forbearance agreement on May 25 after the payment remained outstanding. RBC subsequently requested financial and operational records on June 11, but did not receive the requested records.

The order leaves existing management responsible for ordinary-course management of the childcare operations, including staffing, vendors and operational contracts, while the interim receiver controls and monitors the group’s bank accounts, receipts and disbursements and will work with management on a rolling 13-week cash flow and weekly funding requests.

AlixPartners is the interim receiver. Counsel includes MLT Aikins for RBC and Bishop & McKenzie for the respondents.