Toronto Public Health affirms parents’ fears about Ford’s risky back-to-school scheme

QUEEN’S PARK — Marit Stiles, Ontario NDP Education critic, released the following statement in response to Toronto Public Health raising concerns about class sizes and physical distancing as the Ford government refuses to budge on its risky back-to-school plan:

“Public health authorities have now confirmed the worries of students, parents, teachers and education workers about Doug Ford’s risky, crowded back-to-school scheme. Parents don’t feel comfortable sending their young kids back into the same overcrowded classrooms, where kids can’t possibly practice physical distancing. Watching Ford dig in his heels Friday morning and insist on full class sizes was disheartening, scary and frustrating for everyone. And it’s just adding insult to injury for Ford and his education minister to play the blame game by suggesting boards can dip into rainy day funds when boards have been forced to make cuts year after year because of inadequate provincial funding. Ford needs to listen to the voices of parents, students, staff and public health authorities saying his back-to-school scheme is not safe enough. Our kids’ health and their academic success are on the line. We need to get to work right away if we are going to deliver the smaller, safer classes everyone deserves in September.”