Office of the Official Opposition
For Immediate Release

St. John's, NL (August 27th, 2020) – Helen Conway Ottenheimer, MHA for Harbour Main, called again for the release of a busing plan to address Government’s decision to force 6,200 children to find their own way to school.

Conway Ottenheimer was responding to the recent announcement that thousands of students are being cut from bus routes as capacity is slashed and courtesy busing is eliminated.

“Government has had 6 months to work out a detailed strategy. Yet, school is reopening in just two weeks and parents do not have any information or answers. This lack of leadership is completely unacceptable.”

“We have seen no action to address the 6,200 children who will be forced to find their own way to school. Can we use staggered openings times and double runs? Are all the extra buses parked by contractors being utilized? Can we use motor coaches or smaller passenger buses?”

“I am hearing from parents, teachers, school council representatives, day care operators and municipal leaders-all who are expressing grave concerns that the end of courtesy busing will lead to an impossible situation for many families. Parents fear they will be forced to quit their jobs to ensure that their children arrive to and from school and childcare facilities safely.”

“My district of Harbour Main is not unique in that it has busing challenges where now parents that work shifts must make arrangements to try to get their child to school or try to find childcare.”

“Parents want answers. The stress and anxiety this Government is placing on families is unconscionable. With the recent announcement of significant federal government funding, surely these busing challenges can be rectified once and for all.”
 

Contacts:

Bradley Russell

Director of Policy and Research

(p) 1.709.729.3668

BradleyRussell@gov.nl.ca

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