NDP calls for plan to keep schools open

QUEEN'S PARK — Doug Ford must urgently implement measures to prevent further shutdowns of Ontario schools amid rising COVID cases and the alarming transmissibility of Omicron.
 
"As Ontario schools break today for the holidays, parents, kids and education workers are rightfully afraid they won't be returning to in-person school as they should after New Year's," Stiles said. "Doug Ford is sleepwalking us into a scary Omicron wave and continues to scrimp on vital measures to shield students from further school shutdowns.
 
"We must do everything possible to keep schools open — our children's mental, emotional, and academic well-being depends on it."
 
The Ontario NDP is urging the Ford government to immediately take the following actions to prevent school shutdowns:

  • Free rapid tests for all teachers and education staff to take home over the holidays
  • Free rapid tests for all students and education workers to continue taking after the holidays
  • A vaccine blitz for students, including the 5-11 cohort, with in-school vaccine clinics with permission from parents
  • A robust outreach campaign to parents to encourage vaccination for students between now and Jan. 3, including culturally relevant outreach applicable to different communities
  • Mandatory vaccination for all teachers and education workers
  • Reduced class sizes and school busloads, to begin Jan. 3
  • Guaranteed improved ventilation in all schools
  • Free N95 masks for all teachers and education workers
  • Support for teachers and staff to help address critical learning gaps caused by previous shutdowns 

Latest posts

TORONTO — Despite threats of a trade war that will drive prices even higher, the Liberals are set to reinstate sales tax on Saturday. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh says his government will permanently eliminate the tax on daily essentials and monthly bills, including home heating, cell phone and internet charges, diapers, children’s car seats, kids’ clothes and grocery store meals.

QUEEN’S PARK – Official Opposition NDP Affordability critic Bhutila Karpoche (Parkdale—High Park) joined advocates and community members to announce the Homelessness Task Force Act, 2024.

TORONTO – Official Opposition NDP MPP Bhutila Karpoche (Parkdale—High Park) joined parents, providers and advocates outside Sunnyside Garden Daycare, calling on the province to immediately release the child care funding formula and provide emergency funding for this local daycare at risk of closure.

Share this post

Are you ready to take action?

Follow on Facebook
Sign up to Volunteer
Make a donation

Connect with Bhutila

Email:
Mailing Address: 137 Roncesvalles Ave, PO Box 97022, Toronto, ON M6R 3B3