News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

Butler reiterates call for air quality tests in all schools
November 29, 2006

Roland Butler, MHA for the District of Port de Grave and Liberal Opposition Critic for Education, says it is time for government to stop waffling and commit to a full environmental inspection of all schools across the province to identify and correct any health hazards. 

Earlier this week, another school in the province was closed to enable the school board to deal with a mould problem.  Humber Elementary in Corner Brook will remain closed for the remainder of the week to determine if the building is toxic with mould.  Paradise Elementary was shut down earlier this month with  similar problems. Amalgamated Academy in Bay Roberts has also experienced mould related problems. While the contaminant was cleaned up, no assessment of the situation has been carried out.   The Liberal MHA has previously called upon the minister and  government to complete a school-by-school analysis to identify any other potential problems.   

AThe existence of mould in schools is not something to be dismissed as it has many serious  health-related implications,@says Butler. AThis week, we have yet another learning environment forced to shut down and students= education unnecessarily interrupted and it is not acceptable.

 AIt is the responsibility of this government to provide healthy learning spaces for our children and their teachers. To begin with, government should have been more proactive to ensure that these school did not reach this critical point. Now that we are into this unacceptable situation, it is up to the minister and the department of education to ensure that each and every school passes the healthy space test. 

AIt is evident  that the confidence of educators and parents have been eroded this past month. Many are experiencing much anxiety and stress with respect to this issue.  Only an immediate and comprehensive  air quality test of all schools will restore any level of comfort and ensure students and staff are not being exposed to the risk of indoor contaminants.  I remind the minister of education and this government that they are accountable for conditions that clearly are impairing children=s environmental health and ability to learn.  I once again call upon them to do the right thing and stop turning a blind eye to the potential hazards endangering our school occupants= health and education.@

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