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
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.
Fish oil supplements may raise risk of stroke, heart issues, study suggests
As an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, daily fish oil supplements are a popular way to keep the risk of cardiovascular disease at bay.
DEVELOPING Republican National Committee in Washington evacuated after blood vials received in package
The headquarters of the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C., was briefly evacuated on Wednesday morning after a suspicious package containing two vials of blood was delivered to the building, the police said.
Private island on Nova Scotia's South Shore listed for $15.8M
A private island on Nova Scotia’s South Shore has been listed for sale with a $11.5-million USD price tag.
'Happy tears' of victim's sister after prison attack on serial killer Robert Pickton
Cynthia Cardinal said she was 'overwhelmed' with happiness when she received a text message on Monday with the news that serial killer Robert Pickton, who murdered her sister, was attacked in prison. She called it 'karma.'
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
Interpol says more than 1,500 stolen Canadian vehicles identified since February
Interpol says more than 200 stolen Canadian vehicles have been found each week across the globe since February.
Thunderstorms with tornado risk in some areas in Ontario, snow elsewhere in Canada
Canadians can expect a mixed bag of weather, with forecasts warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and snow in some areas across western Canada.
Judge in Tennessee blocks effort to put Elvis Presley's former home Graceland up for sale
A Tennessee judge on Wednesday blocked the auction of Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley, by a company that claimed his estate failed to repay a loan that used the property as collateral.