Quebec unions concerned about safety in back-to-school plan
Unions representing Quebec school workers say the Quebec government's Jan. 6 announcements on classroom safety measures as the COVID-19 Omicron variant spreads are not reassuring and are calling for a safe environment for the back-to-school period.
The Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), its four school sector federations, and the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers (QPAT) are telling Health Minister Christian Dubé and Education Minister Jean-François Roberge that staff already on the job in classrooms must be better protected now as several COVID-19 outbreaks are being monitored.
The unions say they're not impressed that after 22 months of the pandemic, many uncertainties remain regarding ventilation in the facilities.
CSQ president Éric Gingras said it's outrageous that the fact that Roberge is still announcing the upcoming installation of CO2 readers and telling people to open windows at schools when, in his opinion, the installation of air filtration systems and portable units in classrooms and areas where the air quality is deficient should be done as a matter of urgency.
The unions are also calling for N95 masks to be made available to education staff who request them, for rapid testing to be provided to all staff in the school system, and for PCR testing to be made available immediately to staff already on the job.
The Quebec government is also being urged to ensure it has enough staff to open classes and schools.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 11, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.