Photo by Whitehorse Star
Premier Sandy Silver
Premier ‘pleasantly surprised’ by schools funding
The Yukon is receiving $4.16 million from the federal government to support schools reopening, as part of a $2-billion package distributed among each province and territory.
The Yukon is receiving $4.16 million from the federal government to support schools reopening, as part of a $2-billion package distributed among each province and territory.
Premier Sandy Silver said during a COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday afternoon that he was “pleasantly surprised” by the funding announced that morning.
“We are very happy to receive this support and very appreciative that the federal government’s understanding of the ongoing financial burden that COVID-19 has created,” Silver said.
The $4.16 million will be split into two payments –– half now and the remainder in early 2021.
Silver said the funding will be flexible according to what schools need.
The premier didn’t say where the money will be allocated, but said the Education department has highlighted some necessities for schools this year.
Those include adapting learning spaces, additional buses, custodial staff and personal protective equipment (PPE).
“I will leave that up to the department to work with the principals, the teachers and the school councils to make those determinations,” Silver said.
The federal Safe Return to Class Fund was split amongst jurisdictions according to the number of children aged between four and 18 in that province or territory, with a $2-million base amount provided.
The $4.16 million will be paid to the Yukon in addition to $13.5 million already allocated through the Safe Restart Agreement with the federal government earlier this month.
The Northwest Territories is receiving $4.85 million, while Nunavut’s allotment is $5.75 million.
“As a former teacher and a parent, I know first-hand the importance of school for kids’ social development and mental well-being, not to mention their ability to learn,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement.
“The return to school is also an important step to restart our economy and get parents back to work while not worrying about the health of their children.”
Through this funding, said Daniel Vandal, the Minister of Northern Affairs, “our government is helping to support the safe return to school, while protecting the health and safety of students, staff, and their families.
“I look forward to continuing to work with territorial governments, Indigenous partners and local communities as we work to safely reopen our schools and restart our economy,” Vandal added.
See commentary.
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Comments (22)
Up 10 Down 2
Jim on Sep 3, 2020 at 10:05 am
@moose. Where are you getting your debt figures? Little Justin has added about 300 billion more to the deficit than what was projected in the spring. So no, Harper did not add more to the debt of Canada than Trudeau. This is not the end of the pandemic so we will see what they project this fall. This money is borrowed taxpayers dollars. Not some magic pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Up 3 Down 3
Kevin Greenshields on Sep 2, 2020 at 8:28 pm
Invest in NEW portables for FH Collins so there will be room for all students. Other high schools in Whitehorse and even Selkirk next door has portables. Porter Creek Secondary should have new portables too. The school in Dawson needs new portables too as they were removed due to mould last year. Move the MAD program to The Guild for this school year. It is a safer from bullying. The Guild board has offered to lease space to MAD. It would be logical to have a theatre program in a theatre. But you have heard these things over and over via emails.
Imagine the photo op of all the ministers standing around while the MAD students enter the Guild....wait that was the track at FH. I love the track and it is great investment. So you support sports development but not Arts development? After protesting, at a meeting in July with MAD parents and students the Department of Education promised:
-a separate entrance
-No bells as it would interrupt the flow of creativity
-would have extra space it would need for singing and dancing
-much needed exclusive theatre and music room space access
-ability for students to be loud and chaotic from time to time.
-safety (mental health safety) as MAD students are often the objects of ridicule by regular high school students who find them “weird” or “g--”. PCSS gives them none of these.
The Guild would would let you fulfill your promises. If you value MAD as you have said you do then moving them to the Guild would let you show you really value this program.
Up 8 Down 2
jim on Sep 2, 2020 at 4:50 pm
@moose, You actually think Harper's addition to the country's debt is higher than our boy Justin? Justin's debt has not even been totally calculated yet because he's still spending. He was running a deficit when the economy was booming. At the end of his first term he was the highest debt accumulating prime minister that never had a recession or war. And now with Covid he's spending like a drunken sailor. The total hasn't even been calculated as he is still handing out the cheques. We are just in the initial phases of what will prove to be a long recovery.
Up 11 Down 5
Wilf Carter on Sep 2, 2020 at 12:14 pm
Scott Kent had it right. Invest the money not just spend it on willy nilly things that don't improve the school environment for our children like better venting, clean air flow, better heating, desks that are more workable for kids, find out what kids might be at risk and help them in a different way, have a health scan of all the schools. This is only common sense.
Up 5 Down 18
French Fry on Sep 1, 2020 at 10:06 pm
Quel Bruitm, you are funny, bordering on silly.
As far as understanding politics and how it works, you're not dealing with one of your buddies here. Mr. Silver and his party are the best example of a government we have had in Yukon in absolute years. They are there for the right reasons which is a lot more then I can say for the con governments that proceeded them. But then u r probably one of those cons lying in the weeds taking your sneaky little pot shots where you can, hoping that one day you will have direct access to the big federal government transfer payments. Keep hoping it is not going to happen anytime soon.
Up 9 Down 7
Politico on Sep 1, 2020 at 2:14 pm
So, we should just send the money back to Ottawa since it's such a bad idea to spend money on kids!
Up 15 Down 9
Quel Bruit! on Sep 1, 2020 at 12:26 pm
Hello Spud - Seeing as how you are so protective of Mr. Silver’s image how about you post your real name when commenting... And a photo too...
You obviously have no idea how public office works and quite often, neither does the Star. You are fair game when you say and do things in the public eye for a public purpose associated with your office.
Given the Stars intermittently reinforced social control policies one can be comfortable on the assertion that it is a political image enforcer for the Liberal cabal.
The damage that Silver and crew have done to the image of political office, politics and the Yukon are unrecoverable.
Spuds tend to grow eyes in the latter part of their development... There is still hope that someday you will see.
Up 9 Down 19
Spud on Aug 31, 2020 at 6:08 pm
Quel Bruit, ok so you have made your comment regarding what you see, mainly because Mr. Silver has chosen to stand up and be counted for what he believes in. Since you are so witty and have something to contribute, perhaps a name and picture of yourself next time?
Up 21 Down 20
Matthew on Aug 30, 2020 at 9:15 pm
“We are very happy to receive this support and very appreciative that the federal government’s understanding of the ongoing financial burden that COVID-19 has created,” Silver said
Oh, I could have sworn the gov created this mess, shutting down ENTIRE economy for a mere 9100 deaths! 80+% were old folks with pre-existing health issues... here is an economics101 class.. the more you print the less its worth.. get it?
Up 12 Down 29
Moose on Aug 30, 2020 at 6:07 pm
@Comen Sense
First off, the fact you can't spell common sense is simply too ironic. Second of all, Trudeau still added less debt than Harper, and Canada as a whole has less debt than most other G7 countries. So perhaps lay off the whole, "sky is falling" narrative. Canada's debt is 34% of its GDP, while US debt (mostly due to reckless tax cuts) is at a dangerous 107% of its GDP.
Up 13 Down 12
Moose on Aug 30, 2020 at 6:02 pm
@JC
Yes you are right. The federal government should not be adding to the debt by spending money trying to make schools safer. Instead they should tell everyone to go back as is and roll the dice. Let's have a free for all. Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead on the SS Covid!
Up 23 Down 10
Lost In the Yukon on Aug 30, 2020 at 1:45 pm
... and on another topic I just read that our dear Chief Medical Officer of Health aka I am really the Premier Hanley, has informed us that “HE” will not be lifting any restrictions until “HE” feels it is time. Seems to me that these are political decisions (informed by information coming from Hanley) made and announced by the Premier. WTF
Up 41 Down 7
comen sense on Aug 29, 2020 at 5:04 pm
Sorry guys Justin had already spent every cent before this pandemic hit now we are in for some heavy taxes and compromised times for other future elected governments.
Up 32 Down 4
Quel Bruit on Aug 29, 2020 at 4:04 pm
That is not the look of mild surprise... It is the look of confusion... A stunned bafflement even, but surprise, no.
Up 23 Down 10
Nathan Living on Aug 29, 2020 at 12:52 pm
Please use some of this funding to resolve some of the busing issues.
And please allow the MAD program to return to its home school.
Up 36 Down 9
Josey Wales on Aug 29, 2020 at 6:48 am
yes indeed...
I too would be "pleasantly surprised" to get called...BACK to vote this fall.
geez as a thank you for your service treat?
I would even support Justine taking the entire team coast to coast all the way to the other coast, on a spring time ski retreat in the Canadian Rockies.
tater..at this point it has way surpassed "borrowing" it is stealing from generations ahead to fulfill egos and agendas of today...full stop!
Up 37 Down 3
Martin on Aug 28, 2020 at 9:59 pm
I hope it helps the teachers and students; not the Dept of Edu bureaucracy. Some schools are already out of monies for Covid essentials.
I'd also hope YG does not use it for "Schools' Capital Projects". It is for pandemic's emergency.
Up 38 Down 9
Wilf Carter on Aug 28, 2020 at 9:04 pm
Our Canadian credit card is just about maxed out. Our credit rating is about to go down again which means the interest rate and cost on our Canadian debt will go up.
Up 33 Down 8
Dept will spend it on admin, destroying Wood St School, and cleaning solutions on Aug 28, 2020 at 7:55 pm
Hmmmm. Let me guess--more funds for superintendents, administrators, the minister and deputy minister, to move programs from Wood St. School for astronomical amounts of money, for remediating a portable that has been moldy for over 10 years and was cold storage, and for cleaning supplies. Funding should be for safe spaces for students and teachers, with smaller classes!!! Classes still have 22 and 25 students in them--social distancing in classes not possible! Students have to eat and hang in their classes all day long, with way too many bodies. Those classes should have numbers cut down to a maximum class number of 15. Get some portables, allocate funding to teachers and lower student numbers in classes.
Once an outbreak happens in schools, teachers will flee and so will students. Meanwhile, Wood St. programs are full day for high school students, with limited numbers of 15, while the rest of our students get shi# on in their schooling--- 1/2 days for our students in grades 10-12. And if the stupid powers that be think that students are motivated to do work on their own for half the day each day, THINK AGAIN. Teachers play an important role not just in educating, but in motivating and supporting their students. Don't underestimate the impact that in person teaching has.
USE THE MONEY FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR EDUCATION. Opposition, be on this. Full day education for grades 10-12!!! The spaces that are provided (as study halls) are seeing 4-6 students, sometimes only one or two, and there are 2 teachers in there. This is not working for grades 10-12. This government doesn't have a clue. The money will be spent not where it's needed, and they will be voted out for this mismanagement in the next election.
Up 37 Down 8
JC on Aug 28, 2020 at 4:36 pm
Just hope the teachers explain to their students that they will have to pay off the trillion + debt and half a trillion dollar deficit the Liberal government created for them.
Up 33 Down 7
JC on Aug 28, 2020 at 4:34 pm
Well, that's the sure sign of an election this October. The Liberal Bank of Canada is in business.
Up 40 Down 8
Tater on Aug 28, 2020 at 3:35 pm
Well, it looks like a solution looking for a problem to me. And more borrowing.