News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

Minister failing to protect school children

charges Opposition
August 29, 2007

Liberal Education Critic and MHA for the District of Port de Grave, Roland Butler, says that the Minister of Education continues to neglect the health of school children across the province by refusing to carry out a comprehensive review of all schools throughout the province to determine the presence of mould and other harmful toxins. 

The MHA was reacting to the latest reports that two more schools in the province have been shut down because of mould contamination. Just a week prior to school opening, St. Peter=s Elementary in Upper Island Cove and Cabot Academy in Western Bay will be delayed opening, disrupting over 400 students and their families.  Mould problems in schools have become a serious safety issue in recent years and have resulted in the closure of these educational facilities. 

AAs an Opposition, we have called upon the Minister of Education on numerous occasions in both the House of Assembly and in press releases to ensure that all schools across this province are assessed for mould, but she has irresponsibly avoided such action,@ says Butler. AObviously the minister is failing to appreciate the seriousness of this issue and the high level of anxiety and stress that this often creates with parents over their children=s health being compromised by government inaction. 

AIn the case of the most recent mould problems, this would not have been uncovered had there not been recent upgrading carried out on these two structures.  Conducting a safety review of each and every school in this province may require a greater fiscal commitment, but by refusing to commit to such a precautionary review  this government is sending yet another message that money is placed before the health and safety of people, particularly our children. What plausible reason can the minister use to justify why she would not do the right thing and ensure that students are not exposed to toxins? Quite simply, this is baffling and a cause for concern.@ 

Butler says it is also irresponsible for the minister to  continue alleging that previous administrations neglected schools which have lead to mould pollutants.  AMould as we know can multiple very rapidly, even within weeks, as we have seen in areas that are flooded.  Not only is this school health crisis happening under this government=s watch, they continue to show by their inaction that the health and safety of children is not ranked a priority with this government.@

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