The Yukon Party is calling the first report into the Hidden Valley School sexual abuse scandal “stunning.”

“In a stunning indictment of the Liberal government’s handling of the serious matter at Hidden Valley Elementary, a report from lawyer Amanda Rogers confirmed Tracy-Anne McPhee knew about the incident in 2019 and 2020,” the official Opposition said in a statement.

“The report confirms she failed to inform parents or her cabinet colleagues of the incident and resulting charges.”

“This report makes clear what the vast majority of Yukoners already believe: that the now-deputy premier should resign from cabinet over the mishandling of this matter,” said leader Currie Dixon.

“As the former minister of Education, she is ultimately accountable for the inadequate response to this. Furthermore, as minister of Justice, she failed to inform parents and her colleagues when she learned what had happened.”

In the statement, the Yukon Party pointed out “the report confirmed that McPhee was informed of the situation in multiple briefing notes provided to her in November 2019 and in March 2020.

“The report also confirms that despite being the attorney-general, she failed to make the premier or her cabinet colleagues aware of a legal matter of profound significance and importance.

“Even when McPhee handed the Education portfolio to the current minister (Jeanie McLean) in May 2021, she still neglected to inform her colleague.”

Dixon added, “All along we have heard from parents that they want answers and accountability.

“While this report provides some explanations, there are still several unanswered questions, and even worse, zero accountability.

“McPhee must resign, plain and simple.”

Last Thursday, the Yukon Party called on the government to honour the commitment to release the report by the past Monday – which it did that evening

The Yukon Party said it still supports a fully independent public inquiry that dates back to when the school’s convicted former education assistant was first hired, “and includes an examination of the decisions made and direction provided by the deputy premier, the premier, and political staff.”

The NDP, meanwhile, said the report “highlights systemic failures within the department to act on the severity of the situation, as well as the minister’s lack of interest in the matter.

“The successive governments have left the Department of Education in shambles. Sadly, this level of systemic and repetitive failures comes as no surprise,” said NDP Leader Kate White.

The report clearly states the “Yukon Department of Education (YDE) had a responsibility to inform parents of this serious incident,” she said, as well as “the mere fact that the RCMP had commenced a criminal investigation did not absolve the YDE of the responsibility to communicate with parents.”

White added, “The report also highlights that the first abuses went undetected because the perpetrator blamed his lack of experience working with vulnerable children and his lack of training as an excuse for concerning behaviour.”

She continued, “We’ve not only heard from the report, but also parents, schools and EAs alike that school staff are lacking the specialized training and knowledge they want and need about special education, and that more supports, funding and training are needed. It speaks volumes to the failure of successive governments to listen to parents and educators about what is needed to improve our education system,” said White.

“The report is clear – in 2019 and in 2021, the government failed parents and failed children.

“We know that proper supports are not in place, we know that counsellors are needed and physical changes need to be implemented in all Yukon schools.

“The government knows as well – when will they act?”  asked White.

The NDP leader said in late 2021 she doesn’t believe McPhee should remain a member of the cabinet.