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LABC serves Provincial Liberal Government Notice for failing to protect children
June 2009: LONDON ANTI-BULLYING COALITION (LABC)
Today the Liberal Government failed our students by passing Bill 157 as written.
Despite articulate presentations from various stakeholders calling for mandated accountability and support for victims the only voice the government seemed to hear was that of the labour unions.
Initially starting to address bullying problems within Southwestern Ontario, the LABC is fielding calls from across the province of parents willing to speak out about our governments' inaction and failure to fix a system they know is broken.
"The problem in our current system is that we have a lack of accountability within local boards. This attitude was ever present last week with respect to Toronto Trustee Josh Matlow criticizing the Toronto School Board on its handling of a public health issue. The Toronto Board postponed a vote to effectively shut this trustee up due to fears of bringing down the Board's reputation.
Sadly, this is what’s happening across the Province within the school system. Parents who bring their concerns with respect to the bullying issue to their local elected trustees are often left with no follow up with respect to questioning decisions school officials have made. Bill 157 gives no recourse or accountability with respect to questioning school officials’ discretions, which was something that was voiced by a number of parents in the Committee Hearings on Bill 157.
With no level of accountability present in the current system, the people of Ontario should have great concern today with respect to how this has played out regarding the safety and security of our school system. Our politicians need to know that voter frustration with this system (which Bill 157 fails to address) is now at its peaking point." Jason Koblovksy - Georgina
"Giving Bill 157 the title of "Keeping our Kids Safe at School" is a delusional attempt by our Liberal government in offering up false hope for families who have fallen victim to student-on-student violence. Our Liberal government will have you believe that something wonderful here is taking place when, in fact, this legislation does nothing more than play with the English language for the sole purpose of codifying what is already taking place. When I think of all the wonderful accomplishments that could have been achieved with this legislation, the only thing that I come away with is, what a waste of tax paying dollars." Karen Sebben – York Region
"Bill 157 would clarify the role of all school staff to report serious incidents to the principal. To be clear, the Liberal party knows that this already exists. Bill 157 does not need to re-write this existing piece of legislation. It does, however, need to create consequences for those who fail to follow legislative requirements.
There must be a requirement to report to the police and the local Children's Aid society who are trained to deal with all aspect of abuse and cultural concerns as well. Giving principals this discretion only creates a further reporting gap and can be further used as an excuse for non-compliance and inaction. This ends up as nothing short of gross negligence in terms of the very name of this Bill: Keeping Our Kids Safe at School. Our most vulnerable members of society deserve far better. When there are legal consequences for failure to report, compliance usually prevails." Durham
"It is unacceptable that the government is not taking tangible measures to provide safer schools. Bullying is a patterned, traceable action, and teachers and principals as adults should be held accountable for the safety of the minors in their care." Laurie Leach: Brantford
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