ONTARIO PC CAUCUS DEMANDS A FUTURE FOR PROVINCIAL AND DEMONSTRATION SCHOOLS

QUEEN’S PARK – Today, the Ontario Progressive Conservative Caucus dedicated Question Period to the parents and students who rely on Ontario’s schools for the deaf, blind, and severely learning disabled, with more than a dozen Ontario PC MPPs reading personal stories of children from their ridings.

“The galleries were filled today with parents, students, graduates, staff and prospective students who need these schools so that they can have the same opportunity for success as every other student in Ontario.” Prince Edward-Hastings MPP Todd Smith stated. “Their stories needed to be told and they deserve more than a year-to-year solution.”

On Wednesday, the Liberal government announced that enrolment would be reopened at the provincial and demonstration schools that had been under review. However, many questions remain about staff that had been seconded from home school boards to work at the schools. Many had to return to their home boards. The future of these schools is also in doubt beyond the 2016-17 school year.

“We can’t accept a one year future for these children. We can’t accept some children having their education cut off halfway. We can’t accept the government closing the doors on their future,” Smith added. “We need to lift the caps and we need to say that these children have the same right to opportunity and a future that every other child has.”

“Just look at each and every family here today. They are among the countless success stories and soon-to-be success stories. Blind, deaf and learning disabled students are able to flourish because of these schools,” added Leader of the Official Opposition Patrick Brown during Question Period. “This government can’t play games with the education of these children.”