File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve / Q-101 Merritt

COVID-19

Fraser-Nicola MLA Tegart calls for clarity on funding for school upgrades

Jan 19, 2021 | 10:35 AM

ASHCROFT, B.C. — Fraser-Nicola Liberal MLA Jackie Tegart is calling for clarification from the NDP Government on their commitment to upgrade ventilation systems in BC schools in response to COVID-19.

“Last September, the province received $242.4 million in federal funding to expand health and safety measures in K-12 schools but so far, we don’t have any idea about how that money has been spent,” said Tegart. “With B.C. now deep in the second wave of the pandemic and more in-school exposures and transmissions by the day, the issue of improved ventilation in B.C. schools has never been more important. We now have a better understanding of how the virus is spread and the importance of ventilating indoor air — and students, educators, and parents deserve to know what upgrades are being made to improve the safety of our schools.”

In a letter to NDP Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside, Tegart has called on the NDP government to publicly disclose further details on the planned ventilation upgrades, including how the $242.4 million federal government grant was allocated, a breakdown of planned and completed ventilation system upgrades in B.C. schools, and greater clarification on which administrative bodies will be responsible for the allocation of these resources and upgrades.