News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

Opposition finds government's non-commitment to new school in Paradise doubly ironic

November 20, 2006

Liberal Opposition Critic for Education and MHA for the District of Port de Grave, Roland Butler, says it is evident from remarks made by the minister of education  in the House of Assembly today that government does not intend to replace the unhealthy elementary school in Paradise with a new structure. 

The Liberal MHA questioned education minister Joan Burke on the need for a new school given the closure of the current Paradise Elementary for the remainder of the school year due to a serious and extensive mould problem.  The minister=s response indicated that a replacement school was not part of government=s intentions, despite students being dispersed to three separate locations to continue their education. 

AThe minister clearly is not sensitive to parents= concerns that sending their children back into that toxic structure come next year is not an acceptable solution,@ says Butler. ACurrently, government has seen fit only to address this very serious issue with a band-aid solution. Parents have already indicated, through various public comments and through a rally on the steps of Confederation Building today, that a new school will be the only satisfactory solution.  

AIt is rather ironic, on this National Child Day,  that a government would publicly proclaim with one minister that they are committed to the health and safety of children, while another minister stands up moments later and tries to defend a decision that clearly compromises the health and safety of these very same students. It exposes a double standard at its best and shows a government unwilling to put its money where its mouth has gone.@  

Earlier this week, the Liberal critic also called for a full environmental analysis  of all schools across the province to reassure parents that a safe air quality exists in these leaning environments. Government has also failed to respond to this request, notwithstanding that both parents and teachers have called the Opposition office voicing their concerns.  

AWhat is doubly ironic here is that just recently in the media the premier used the health and safety of a child to help justify his government=s input of $15 million into the fibre-optic deal, but yet the health and safety of students in the very schools they are receiving their education from does not warrant a priority, nor an investment by this misguided government.@ 

Media Contact:
Kim Ploughman
Caucus Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6427