Kamloops-Thompson DPAC Chair Bonnie McBride speaks in front of the BC Legislature (image credit - Global BC)

By Michael Reeve

EDUCATION FUNDING

‘Deliver what parents are demanding’; Education rally in Victoria takes centre stage at Monday QP

May 27, 2025 | 12:30 PM

VICTORIA — Teachers, support staff, school administrators, students and parents from across British Columbia came together Monday (May 27) on the front lawn of the legislature in Victoria, demanding increased funding for schools. Districts across B.C. are dealing with budgetary pressures, being forced to make difficult decisions around staffing — including in Kamloops, where the board approved cutting more than 70 full time equivalent positions.

The Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education was forced to cut more than $5 million from its budget. This district isn’t alone in being faced with tough decisions, as seen on Monday, with the noise from the lawn reverberating through the legislature halls and onto the floor of the house.

“Talk about a government that is completely out of touch with their own commitments,” said Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar during question period. “It was this premier who campaigned on education assistants for every K-3 classroom. Let’s take a look at how that is going, Mr. Speaker. In Kamloops, they have had to cut 80 support staff positions because of funding shortfalls from this government.”

Education Minister Lisa Beare fired back at the opposition, first about their election plans for the file.

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“The official critic was asked if she would give more money and she said, ‘Ah no, I’m going to do things differently. I’m going to increase classroom sizes.’ So no, the BC Conservatives don’t have a leg to stand on here,” said Beare in response to a question from Conservative MLA Trevor Halford.

And then about the increase to the portfolio set to take effect next year bringing the commitment above $8 billion.

“I want to make sure we send a very clear message that we value the education system, that we have increased per pupil funding from $9,000 when we formed government in 2019 to over $13,600,” said Beare.

Kamloops-Thompson District Parent Advisory Council chair Bonnie McBride was part of the group who organized the rally in Victoria, securing a chance to speak directly to the minister, saying she was fortified by what they heard, but stating clearly the money isn’t keeping up.

“Front line workers are burning out, programs are getting cut, buses for kids with disabilities gone, band programs gone,” said Halford, the MLA for Surrey-White Rock.

“When will this government properly listen to the parents who are out on the lawn, the teachers who are out on the lawn, the school districts who are out on the lawn and recognize that they have created a fundamental mess within the school districts from K-to-12 in British Columbia and actually start living up to their actual commitments and deliver what parents are demanding?” added Milobar.