Earlier this week, I received a response from Minister Whiteside’s office regarding a letter I had sent last month about COVID-19 safety guidelines in BC schools.
After speaking with the Cowichan Valley Teacher’s Union, I issued a request for the Ministry to provide clear direction for families returning from travel after the holiday winter break. Teachers in our community had expressed their concerns to me, and explained that they were worried students returning from areas with reports of COVID-19 cases would increase the risk of transmission in Cowichan.
While I was pleased to hear that the Ministry is planning to continue communicating with school boards about these issues, I was disappointed by their failure to address this specific issue in a timely matter and provide teachers, students, and families with confidence in the safety of their school environments.
I am inspired by the resilience of our teachers and support staff during this challenging time. I will continue to advocate on their behalf for the duration of this pandemic and beyond. If you’d like to speak with me about your concerns or share your perspective on this issue, please do not hesitate to contact my office via email.
Click here to read my letter to Minister Whiteside, and click here to read her response.
