Parents are held responsible for myriad health and safety issues surrounding their children: safe cribs, safe car seats, safe vaccinations, safe clothing, safe housing, safe food – to name but a small selection. They are expected to be the first line of defence in making sure young lives are as protected as they can be in today’s world.
But what can they do when they are faced with a government that does not seem to take its responsibility seriously? Particularly when that responsibility involves protecting children who are in government buildings all day long, for much of the year?
A recent earthquake in the Lower Mainland was a scary reminder to many New West families to check their earthquake plans and emergency kits. Many families realized that their kits needed updated supplies and their plans were outdated, given new workplaces or better routes to follow.
And many families took that wake-up call seriously and updated plans and supplies.
But what about the provincial government?
The New Westminster school district has, once again, sent off its capital projects list to the ministry of education for approval. And, once again, it has included schools (other than NWSS – but that’s a different story) for approval.
The district's plan – a wish list of building projects districts submit to the provincial education ministry every year – has a $4-million seismic upgrade at F.W. Howay Elementary at the top of the list, followed by an $18-million upgrade at Richard McBride Elementary and a $1.25-million upgrade at Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary.
The project at Howay, where the single-storey classroom block was assessed in 2013 as “vulnerable” and at high risk of widespread damage or structural failure during an earthquake, was supported in principle by the ministry in 2013.
McBride, where the 1929 classroom and gymnasium blocks have both been assessed at high risk of structural failure during an earthquake, was also supported in 2013.
But where are the funds and the construction or renovation plans?
Good question.
The government has simply not funded them yet. While they may pay lip service to the need to upgrade unsafe schools, they don’t fork out the cash.
It’s simply irresponsible.
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