Ford ignoring Kashechewan children who need a safe school to attend: NDP

Community worried children may lose school year as school falls apart

QUEEN’S PARK – During question period on Thursday, NDP MPP for Mushkegowuk—James Bay, Guy Bourgouin, said while Doug Ford obsesses with Toronto, he is ignoring the urgent needs of the community and children of Kashechewan whose school was forced to close because of dangerous conditions.

Bourgouin toured the community on Saturday and related his experience to Doug Ford and the legislature.

“The Community of Kashechewan ordered their school closed because of the repair back log. There is chronic water damage. The walls grow hot but the fire alarms don’t work. Children are getting lung infections and pneumonia from the mold,” said Bourgouin.

“What tops the list of concerns for my constituents is making sure their children don’t lose an entire school year because their school is falling apart, not unilaterally cutting Toronto city council."

Doug Ford’s Conservative government took the unprecedented step of invoking the notwithstanding clause to trample on the Charter rights of all Ontarians in order to continue meddling in Toronto’s election, after a judge struck down their efforts.

“This government has a Toronto obsession, and they are ignoring the urgent issues facing Northern Ontario and rural Ontario,” said Bourgouin.

“Premier, why is violating Torontonians' Charter rights a higher priority than getting the kids of Kashechewan into a safe school they can learn in?"