Photo by Whitehorse Star
Tracy-Anne McPhee and Scott Kent
Government, opposition at odds over graduation events
Education Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee announced Wednesday that June 10 has officially been proclaimed “Yukon Graduate Day, but the Yukon Party says the government is still coming up short.
Education Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee announced Wednesday that June 10 has officially been proclaimed “Yukon Graduate Day, but the Yukon Party says the government is still coming up short.
“Graduation is such an important milestone for every student, their families and their school communities,” McPhee said in a statement.
“It is a time to celebrate dedication and achievement in learning. It marks the transition into next the stage of life, continuing to the next level at school, starting postsecondary studies or embarking on a career.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has wiped out schools’ and Yukon University’s annual graduation ceremonies.
On May 22, the Yukon Party official Opposition said Wednesday, it wrote to McPhee asking what the government’s plans are for 2020 graduation ceremonies.
Almost two weeks later, the Liberals have still not responded to that letter, the opposition party said.
“That the Liberals have ignored our letter – which is based directly off requests from parents and students – shows that they are not taking the concerns of Yukoners seriously,” said Scott Kent, the party’s critic for education.
“The minister’s statement makes it clear that they have no plans to help Yukon students celebrate their 2020 graduation.
“The Liberal government has essentially announced that they are planning nothing special for our 2020 graduates and are just passing the buck on to families,” added Kent, a former Education minister.
“The Liberals need to do better for our students and start actually communicating and working with the school communities.”
Matthew Cameron, a spokesman for the cabinet pointed out Wednesday afternoon the government has never been in charge of planning schools’ graduation events.
“Individual school communities have always led the planning for graduation ceremonies to ensure they reflect the wishes of their students and families, and they continue to do so despite the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cameron said.
“It’s baffling that a former minister of Education doesn’t appear to understand this, and has suggested the Department of Education should dictate how schools should celebrate their students.”
McPhee and the Department of Education continue to fully support school communities as they plan their respective graduation ceremonies, Cameron added.
“From family portraits of graduating students, to public banners celebrating graduates, to community parades and virtual ceremonies, Yukon’s schools are planning a variety of innovative initiatives to honour and celebrate the success of their students.”
Yukon Graduate Day is “an opportunity for Yukoners to celebrate the accomplishments and success of all Yukon graduating students,” Cameron added.
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Comments (11)
Up 10 Down 2
Patti Eyre on Jun 8, 2020 at 5:59 pm
Just when I think Scott Kent can't go any lower, someone hands him a shovel, and then takes it back when they realize he doesn't understand how it "works" and shovels for him.
Up 18 Down 8
John on Jun 8, 2020 at 8:36 am
This government and many community leaders have shown a level of hypocrisy that is beyond reasonable. Do you think kids are stupid? Most kids suffered through a prolonged separation from their friends, foregave plans for a graduation ceremony they so rightly deserve, listened to a “plan” they disagreed with and then watched the government do nothing to enforce the rules and laws as a protest takes place in downtown Whitehorse completely ignoring all the preventative work everyone has done and, placing lives in danger (according to the “plan”). Community leaders even supported the protest. What a bunch of hypocrites.
Up 13 Down 2
David McKlaren on Jun 7, 2020 at 2:33 am
Someone said there was a semi-annual utterance from MLA McLoud but I missed that. She's good until the end of the year now.
Up 4 Down 11
Students Against Drunken Stupidity or is it on Jun 6, 2020 at 9:54 pm
Here, how about this. We calculate the alcohol related deaths of our young people associated with the high-school graduation. Then we add statistics related to the incidents of physical and sexual violence and call it an epidemic and create the appropriate restrictive measures to avoid the unnecessary violence and death. For example, for the month of June the authorities could create impaired driving laws and create a law that restricts individuals under the age of 19 from possessing, purchasing or consuming alcohol. We could do this... This could be the new normal and once our teenagers stop being hurt, maimed, or killed we could look at possibly loosening some of those restrictions... For example, start by loosening up the laws such as the consumption or possession of alcohol for minors... Hmmm... I bet you this happens elsewhere too... Maybe pandemically... Quick, doctor! To the phones...
Up 20 Down 20
Juniper Jackson on Jun 5, 2020 at 5:47 am
These young people have worked hard to graduate. They deserve a proper graduation, with a bank, the dress, the tux, the cap and gown. If people can riot and loot, kill each other all over the US and Canada, a graduation would be a walk in the park.. and the government should pay for it. They can throw money away everywhere.. just do it.
Up 24 Down 5
Dan Davidson on Jun 4, 2020 at 9:01 pm
It’s amazing that a former minister of education is apparently unaware that the department’s only role in this area is to have someone show up after the individual schools have decided what they want to do. Writing as a retired teacher and multiple rimes grad advisor
Up 14 Down 17
JC on Jun 4, 2020 at 5:38 pm
A few days ago, the Liberal party accused the opposition party and the NDP for not responding to their actions. Now today it's told that the Liberal govt. is not responding to the opposition's request for information. Typical Liberal party Stalinist practices.
Up 21 Down 6
SheepChaser on Jun 4, 2020 at 5:32 pm
Enough! Enough! Enough!
Out of all of you!
This is pathetic. You discredit the intelligence of the Yukon electorate with this schoolyard tattletale manure.
I'm so embarrassed for you. I can't stand Sandy's liberals, but you all are a pretty smelly alternative.
Can you get on with holding government accountable regarding the issues that will affect the future prosperity, health and happiness of these grads? Or are you all so focused on getting hold of power with divisive petty squabbles intended to blind us to your obvious lack of maturity and competence that you'll prey on any issue of the day to bully your way into office?
The Yukon Party leadership needs a Larger Than Life muzzle on their stupidity.
Up 19 Down 11
Otto Vandussenburg on Jun 4, 2020 at 5:21 pm
Kent is like a stuck recording. On any subject. March 10th he was grousing that the government was seriously lacking with a Covid plan. 2 months later everything is fine and the governments plans have held together marvelously. You can go over his history on any matter and it's the same, the sky is falling. Yet he never has any hard evidence to present just innuendo, speculation, and half truths forever.
Up 23 Down 5
BnR on Jun 4, 2020 at 4:37 pm
FFS! Don't we have bigger issues than wrangling on about Yukon Graduate Day?
How much do we pay you?
Up 15 Down 15
woodcutter on Jun 4, 2020 at 4:06 pm
lol.. I would ignore a letter from the Yukon Party, so why all the snowflake outrage?
The schools are doing an amazing job, considering the circumstances. The teachers/principles, in my experience, are communicating and keeping us well involved and informed and I give them all 5 stars for the efforts and product. I am happy we have great educators and school principles assisting me in preparing my children for life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Perhaps there is a reason why Scott Kent is the ex-education minister?
Another questions for all my conservative commentators, when did the conservatives try to mimic the big government involvement that the progressive parties have been advocating? I thought you were all the little government, user pay, let families be responsible for their children, etc party.
Better get your ducks in a row and at least self identify one way or the other. The voters are confused as to what you all stand for. One moment you're hot, the next you're cold.
Very confusing this party, one minute cry to reduction in regulation and next minute want the government to micro manage graduation ceremonies that have always been the function of our educators.