Teachers are across the country are asking: “Where’s the cash?”.They say $2 billion promised by the Trudeau government to help them battle the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t made its way to the classroom yet, says Blacklock’s Reporter..On Thursday, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation said pandemic supplies have been scant, and educators have paid out of pocket to keep children safe..“Taxpayers’ money is out there for a particular use and we cannot find it was used for its intended purpose,” said Shelley Morse, of Wolfville, N.S., president of the Federation..“Our senior management has been trying to find where this money was spent and those requests were ignored. We aren’t privy to the information, and school boards aren’t talking either.”.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised $2 billion in cash transfers last August 26 to provinces and territories through a Safe Return to Class Fund. Cabinet said cash payments were made in full beginning last September 30..“This money is there to help keep our kids safe, but the provinces and territories will determine the best way to make sure this money is spent in ways that keep our citizens and our kids safe,” Trudeau told reporters at the time..“We’ve made this funding flexible so provinces and ultimately schools can use it for what they need most, from hand sanitizers to remote learning.”.But Morse, in testimony at the Commons finance committee, said much of the funding appeared to have vanished..“I cannot stress this enough, that funding has not flowed to the classroom,” said Morse..“Teachers and education workers are still paying out of pocket for their personal protective equipment, hand sanitizers, additional cleaning products for their classrooms and for makeshift dividers between desks.”.Liberal MP Wayne Easter (Malpeque, P.E.I.), chair of the finance committee, asked the Federation for some proof., some the group said they will provide..“A lot of money went to the provinces to cover those costs,” said Easter..“What is not happening on the ground? It bothers me money is being sent to provinces to be spent for specific issues and doesn’t seem to be getting there..“I’m shocked teachers are paying out of pocket for personal protective equipment and dividers between desks. That is just purely wrong.”.In an interview, Morse said school boards nationwide have indicated they did not receive all funding..“What we are hearing from our teachers is incredible,” she said..“In Nova Scotia teachers were provided four masks for the whole year. That’s what they were given. Many had to go out of pocket to buy more, and provide masks to students as well.”.“We have British Columbia teachers paying out of pocket for air filtration units. In Québec they distributed contaminated masks. There are no accountability measures in place. Provinces and territories don’t have to say what they did with the money..“Teachers are trying to teach during a crisis without crisis intervention. It’s unconscionable.”.Cabinet said payments under the Safe Return to Class Fund totaled $4.2 million to Yukon, $4.9 million to Northwest Territories, $5.8 million to Nunavut, $10.4 million to Prince Edward Island, $26.2 million to Newfoundland & Labrador, $39.8 million to New Brunswick, $47.9 million to Nova Scotia, $74.9 million to Saskatchewan, $85.4 million to Manitoba, $242.4 million to British Columbia, $262.8 million to Alberta, $432.1 million to Québec and $763.3 million to Ontario..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.comTwitter.com/nobby7694
Teachers are across the country are asking: “Where’s the cash?”.They say $2 billion promised by the Trudeau government to help them battle the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t made its way to the classroom yet, says Blacklock’s Reporter..On Thursday, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation said pandemic supplies have been scant, and educators have paid out of pocket to keep children safe..“Taxpayers’ money is out there for a particular use and we cannot find it was used for its intended purpose,” said Shelley Morse, of Wolfville, N.S., president of the Federation..“Our senior management has been trying to find where this money was spent and those requests were ignored. We aren’t privy to the information, and school boards aren’t talking either.”.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised $2 billion in cash transfers last August 26 to provinces and territories through a Safe Return to Class Fund. Cabinet said cash payments were made in full beginning last September 30..“This money is there to help keep our kids safe, but the provinces and territories will determine the best way to make sure this money is spent in ways that keep our citizens and our kids safe,” Trudeau told reporters at the time..“We’ve made this funding flexible so provinces and ultimately schools can use it for what they need most, from hand sanitizers to remote learning.”.But Morse, in testimony at the Commons finance committee, said much of the funding appeared to have vanished..“I cannot stress this enough, that funding has not flowed to the classroom,” said Morse..“Teachers and education workers are still paying out of pocket for their personal protective equipment, hand sanitizers, additional cleaning products for their classrooms and for makeshift dividers between desks.”.Liberal MP Wayne Easter (Malpeque, P.E.I.), chair of the finance committee, asked the Federation for some proof., some the group said they will provide..“A lot of money went to the provinces to cover those costs,” said Easter..“What is not happening on the ground? It bothers me money is being sent to provinces to be spent for specific issues and doesn’t seem to be getting there..“I’m shocked teachers are paying out of pocket for personal protective equipment and dividers between desks. That is just purely wrong.”.In an interview, Morse said school boards nationwide have indicated they did not receive all funding..“What we are hearing from our teachers is incredible,” she said..“In Nova Scotia teachers were provided four masks for the whole year. That’s what they were given. Many had to go out of pocket to buy more, and provide masks to students as well.”.“We have British Columbia teachers paying out of pocket for air filtration units. In Québec they distributed contaminated masks. There are no accountability measures in place. Provinces and territories don’t have to say what they did with the money..“Teachers are trying to teach during a crisis without crisis intervention. It’s unconscionable.”.Cabinet said payments under the Safe Return to Class Fund totaled $4.2 million to Yukon, $4.9 million to Northwest Territories, $5.8 million to Nunavut, $10.4 million to Prince Edward Island, $26.2 million to Newfoundland & Labrador, $39.8 million to New Brunswick, $47.9 million to Nova Scotia, $74.9 million to Saskatchewan, $85.4 million to Manitoba, $242.4 million to British Columbia, $262.8 million to Alberta, $432.1 million to Québec and $763.3 million to Ontario..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.comTwitter.com/nobby7694
