September 29th, 2021
QUEEN’S PARK – Ontario NDP Education Critic Marit Stiles released the following statement.
“Todays decision by Doug Ford to block access to rapid tests for students is a crushing blow to parents and a threat to classroom safety.
Parents across the province have stepped up to protect their kids because Doug Ford failed to act. He never should have put families in this terrible position in the first place.
Time and time again Doug Ford has refused to make the necessary investments to make schools safer. He has said no to: smaller class sizes, better ventilation, mandatory vaccinations for all education workers, and adding the COVID vaccine to the list of mandatory immunizations for all eligible students. Now he’s saying no to rapid testing for kids.
We need to see equitable access to rapid testing in schools across Ontario starting with those communities most impacted by COVID-19. If the logistical challenge of rapid testing programs can be managed for businesses it can also be managed to protect students and keep schools open.”