Oct 3rd update: candidate responses received from the BC NDP (group response) and Maureen Curran, BC Greens candidate.
We sent 8 questions on public education to the 8 candidates running for MLA in New West. When responses are received from candidates, we’ll post them here as well as on our facebook and instagram pages.
Question 1:
School District 40 has faced challenges with overcrowded schools and delayed construction of
new facilities, impacting both student learning environments and community growth. Where do
you see the key gaps in the planning and funding processes for new schools in SD40, and what
specific plans do you have to address these issues to ensure timely and adequate infrastructure
for the district’s growing student population?
Question 2:
With large developments like Columbia Square and the 22nd Street Plan in New Westminster,
there are growing concerns that municipalities are not required to allocate space for schools,
while provincial approval and funding processes cannot keep pace with the rapid rate of growth.
This puts added strain on already overcrowded schools. Do you see any issues with the current
lack of mandatory collaboration between municipalities and school districts, and how would you
address the delays in provincial funding to ensure that school infrastructure keeps up with
community growth?
Question 3:
Many school districts facing rapid enrollment growth are forced to use operating funds to
purchase portables, which cost approximately $200,000 each. Funds that are intended for
teacher and staff salaries, classroom technology, and student resources. This creates a
significant budget shortfall and an inequitable funding situation, as districts experiencing rapid
growth are hit hardest. What is your proposed solution to address this inequitable funding
challenge that results from the necessary use of portables to accommodate rapid growth and
how will you ensure that growing districts are not forced to divert critical resources to temporary
solutions?
Question 4:
Recent statistics from the BC Adolescent Health Survey highlight that student mental health is
on the decline, with increasing numbers of youth reporting anxiety, depression, and high stress
levels. Given the growing mental health crisis among students in our province, what specific
actions will you take to ensure schools have the resources and support systems in place to
address these needs, and how will you work to improve access to mental health services for
students across British Columbia?
Question 5:
Inclusion BC has reported significant gaps in public education for students with disabilities and
neurodiversity, such as delays in accessing assessments, insufficient classroom support, and
inadequate training for teachers on inclusive practices. What do you think needs to change in
BC’s public education system to ensure that these gaps in inclusion are addressed, and that all
students with special needs have equitable access to the support and resources they require?
Question 6:
What is your position on supporting SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) inclusive
education in our schools, and how will you work to ensure that all students, regardless of their
sexual orientation or gender identity, have access to a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school
environment?
Question 7:
School districts across BC, including SD40, are facing a severe shortage of teaching and
support staff, particularly in critical roles like speech-language pathologists, psychologists,
counsellors, and learning resource teachers. This shortage has a direct impact on student
support and well-being. What specific steps will you take to ensure that these essential positions
are fully staffed on the first day of school and consistently throughout the school year, and how
will you work with districts to address recruitment and retention challenges in these vital areas?
Question 8:
The BC Area Standards not only prescribe some of the smallest per-student spaces for schools
in Canada they also do not incorporate climate resilience or adaptation measures, such as
mitigating the impacts of hotter, drier weather, increased frequency and intensity of extreme
weather events, and energy supply uncertainties. Given the challenges posed by climate
change, what is your plan to support school districts in building and upgrading facilities to be
more resilient to these environmental changes and ensure safe, sustainable learning
environments for students?