Dear Editor,
Re: “Bernier put on hot seat,” News, March 15.
To the parents and other supporters of Richmond Schools Stand United, I’d like to say a huge thank you.
Thank you for standing up and fighting for the rights of the children who venture into unsafe, underfunded schools every day.
Thank you for exposing the capacity rates that the government attempted to impose during the school closure consultation process, as nothing but numbers pulled out of the air, causing school boards to stumble and scramble and parents to worry.
And thank you for shining a light on the empty, pre-election campaign promises that are repeating themselves, as you questioned Minister Bernier about seismic upgrades at Cook Elementary last week.
Your hard work paid off in 2016 — a feat, I admit, didn’t think could be accomplished at the time. How could parents make such an impact when not even our elected officials would champion the cause?
Seeing your grit and determination, your love and compassion for children, and your thoughtful, well-researched arguments in the face of absurdity, I have no doubt your continued pressure on our provincial and local government officials will mean safety will become a priority for our city and our children.
To our current MLAs, shame on you for not working hand-in-hand with concerned citizens. Listen to your constituents, work for them, not in opposition to them.
Allow parents to return to their roles as just that — parents — while you advocate for improvements. Or perhaps it’s time we give someone else a chance to stand up for our children’s, and city’s, best interests in this next election.
J. McCann
Richmond
