Thoughts on BC Politics and More

Trust the former President of the BC Teachers Federation (BCTF), Terry Mooring, to trot out the age old, and massively incorrect, comment that private schools in British Columbia take away funding that should be going to public schools. Her comment is ridiculous of course, as she very well knows, but it certainly plays well to her base (mainly NDP supporters) who perhaps don't think through what she and others in the hierarchy of the BCTF have to say. Mooring states, “ We would be able to fully fund the public school system if government didn’t fund private schools ”. What she doesn’t state, because she doesn’t want people to dig too deep, is that ending government funding of private schools would literally bankrupt the provincial government.  Here are the cold hard fiscal facts! There are approximately 90,000 children that attend BC’s private schools, with each of those students receiving a ‘maximum’ of 50% (range starts at 25%) of the per pupil funding allocated to students in pu...

Across the country, more and more parents are seeking education options for their kids outside of public schools. For some this is private schooling, perhaps a charter school for those in places such as Alberta, or even home schooling.    This edition of The Andrew Lawton Show shines a light on school choice – what options do parents have, and why are they making the choices they are?    Joining Andrew to discuss are the Fraser Institute’s director of education policy, Paige MacPherson, Alberta liaison officer Catherine Kavanagh of Cardus, and Home School Legal Defence Association president Peter Stock ... CLICK HERE for the full program

The Prime Minister and photo ops … BC’s continuing meltdown in the forest sector … the Prime Minister won’t attend several key election debates … the environment and the economy … Justin Trudeau announcing, ‘Canada is back, and we’re here to help” … mental health supports for students … the Liberals failing to stand up for Trans Mountain pipeline … building a restorative economy … Information on all of these things, and more, were part of the most read stories of this past week.   Did you miss any … want a refresher … want to pass this information on to others? Take a moment to check them out … starting with commentary #10 #10 … Adrian Dix – ‘ Make immunization reporting part of the back-to-school routine ’ ~~ Sept 2 nd … new mandatory immunization reporting requirement increases the ability of public health to respond during an outbreak by quickly identifying those who are under-and unimmunized… #9 … ADAM OLSEN -- For the benefit of peop...

On Wednesday Judy Darcy, the Minister responsible for Mental Health and Addictions, announced schools in British Columbia will now have access to enhanced wellness supports and programs with $8.87 million being invested over the next three years.  “ Students need a safe place to say, ‘I’m not ok’, whether they’re struggling with anxiety or depression or any mental health issue ”, said Darcy. “ This investment will help provide students, parents and educators with the tools they need to support mental well-being for students across BC for years to come .” Funding will be used to provide individual grants to all 60 school districts, as well as independent schools, to help them better support mental health for all children and for those with substance-use challenges. While I agree fully with the need for resources to help students with mental health issues, such as anxiety, stress, and depression, can our NDP government truly say this financial inje...