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The English-language school district of Newfoundland and Labrador is testing a possible solution to the problems of the 1.6-kilometer bus policy, but this solution is not fast enough for members of the opposition.
The policy has been controversial for years, with events being held early in the 2018-19 school year. This policy prevents students who live less than 1.6 km from their school from going to their homes or the nearest bus stop for free.
This year, a "courtesy stop" is being tested in the school district. A single stop will be placed halfway to the 1.6 kilometer policy, to reduce the number of students walking all the way to school.
The debate was heated in the House last week when the Progressive Conservatives pushed the government to completely repeal the policy.
The Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, Al Hawkins, said the policy was controversial since he took over the minister's portfolio from the ousted Minister of Education, Dale Kirby but that this policy is common throughout the country.
"Go everywhere in Canada. There is not a single province in the country that has a zero mileage policy, "said Hawkins.
"That's why it's important to look, look, determine what would be best."
But Conservative MP David Brazil, Brazil, says there have been enough criticisms.
The Conservatives introduced a motion from a member of Parliament asking the government to dismiss the matter on Wednesday, to which the Liberals pbaded an amendment calling for further examination. As a result, the Conservatives voted against their own motion. they believe that the time has come to act.
"It's a rural-urban divide: unsecured roads without sidewalks. In rural areas, there are not only sidewalks, there are no sidewalks on provincial highways that run through communities. "
Lorraine Michael Michael, MP
"The problem of buses 1.6 – especially in areas of growth where there is a lot of traffic – is causing havoc among the population," said Brazil.
"I'm asking (Hawkins) to come up with a solution that works. He speaks of the extra courtesy stop, which offers very little. Courtesy seating is one of the key elements that is beginning to solve the problem. "
Courtesy seats are available to students within a mile radius if they have enough space on a bus. Parents can ask for seating for their children and if there is room, they will be placed in a bus with students who live further away.
NDP spokesperson Lorraine Michael agrees that the subject has been studied enough. More than that, she is worried about a rural-urban divide on the issue, as population density tends to make the policy easier to manage in cities compared to rural communities.
"When I was a kid, I could cross Lemarchant Road, Military Road and get to my school.The bus used this road – it did not matter," said Michael.
"It's a rural-urban divide: unsecured roads without sidewalks. In rural areas, there are not only sidewalks, there are no sidewalks on provincial highways that run through communities. "
Michael says that the problem is not to walk, it's security.
"I would like our children to walk or cycle, but it has to be safe. Where it is not safe, we must be able to allow them to take the bus, "she said.
The next steps in the 1.6 km bus policy will come in the next school year.
david.maher@thetelegram
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