Opposition Calls for Long Term Commitment to Provincial and Demonstration Schools by Government

(Queen’s Park) – On Thursday, Sarnia-Lambton MPP, Bob Bailey, and the Official Opposition PC Caucus devoted question period to calling for the Liberal Minister of Education to make a long term commitment to Ontario’s critically important provincial and demonstration schools.

“Minister, there are five families in Sarnia-Lambton who are counting on the life changing education that their children receive at the Amethyst Demonstration School in London,” noted MPP Bailey during Question Period.

“Will you commit today to keeping Amethyst open, not just for current students, but also for future enrollment by students from Sarnia-Lambton?” added MPP Bailey.

In February, the Liberal Government began a review of provincial and demonstration schools in Ontario. These schools provide critically important schooling for deaf, blind deafblind, and/or severely learning disabled students in Ontario. Only recently did the Minster of Education announce that it would allow the admissions process for September 2016 go forward.  However, support staff and teaching staff have not received confirmation that their jobs will be there in the fall.  On Thursday, Premier Wynne and the Minster of Education refused to commit to keeping these important schools open past next year.

“The Liberal Government has been playing games, dangling the closure of provincial and demonstration schools over the heads of the families who are counting on the life changing education that their children receive from these schools” said MPP Bailey following Question Period.

“The progress that these students make at provincial and demonstration schools is amazing. Every person in Ontario should have the opportunity to reach their full potential. These schools play and important role in this.”

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