Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound's MPP says hundreds of vulnerable students in the region will go without needed support as the province cuts 49 educational assistant jobs at the Bluewater District School Board.
Bill Wallker says blind, autistic and diabetic students are losing some critical assistance. He points to a couple of students with disabilities who will have their ability to learn severely impacted.
Kathy Cotter's 7-year-old daughter has retinal dystrophy and is legally blind. She will have no one to braille her books. Candice Huber's 8-year-old son has Type 1 diabetes and hypoglycaemic episodes. He will have no one to watch him to ensure he is safe.
Walker says there is no way to justify the staffing cuts when the number of students needing special education services has not decreased.
“From teacher strikes to pending school closures and now slashed educational opportunities for our most vulnerable students, I question if this minister of education has the student's best interest at heart. Judging by her response today in question period, she does not,” Walker said. “The Minister can spin things whatever way she wants. This will negatively impact those children who need special support as well as the rest of the student population. Our children are paying for years of mismanagement by this Liberal government and it’s simply is unacceptable.”
