The media is reporting that Ford plans to keep schools closed - not because schools have been unsafe and not because there isn’t a consensus that they should reopen, but because he wants to prioritize businesses. The media reports this decision will be made tomorrow. It’s not too late to make a difference for children and youth.
Help us tell Prime Minister Trudeau that it is time for the federal government to intervene for the sake of Ontario’s children and youth.
You will find below templates that you can use to contact Trudeau and other key decision-makers, along with their emails and titles. These letters can be adapted or used to inspire your own letter. Don’t forget to include your own MP.
The sooner you write, the better our chances of getting our children back to school before the end of the year.
Email: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca
CC: premier@ontario.ca, christine.elliott@ontario.ca, minister.edu@ontario.ca, Erin.OToole@parl.gc.ca, phac.cpho-acsp.aspc@canada.ca
Subject: Federal intervention needed in Ontario’s schools
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,
CC: Premier Ford, Minister Elliot, Minister Lecce, MP O’Toole, and Dr. Tam
I am a [Description of who you are. Example: a parent of a Grade One Student] in [community], Ontario. Yesterday, [description of COVID in your community if low to moderate prevalence].
My child(ren) have struggled a lot over the past year during school closures. In fact, children, youth, and their families are struggling all around me. The media is also full of stories of pediatric hospitals and experts sharing how continually closed schools are causing severe harm to children and youth.
Schools in Ontario have been closed more than any other jurisdiction in Canada. Premier Ford’s government closed our schools indefinitely on April 12th - not because schools have been unsafe but because of high levels of community spread.
Last week, Premier Ford asked healthcare experts and education partners for input on whether to reopen schools. There was resounding support to re-open schools immediately - and particularly in regions with low prevalence.
Yet, schools remain closed and the media are reporting that Ford plans to keep schools closed, and that this is being done because Premier Ford prioritizes business interests over the Province’s duty to ensure children’s rights to health and education.
I am writing to ask the Federal Government to intervene on behalf of Ontario’s children, youth, and families. Canada is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Your government has a duty to ensure that the rights of children and youth across the country are protected, respected, promoted. Please use the policy tools at your disposal to ensure that decisions about schools in Ontario are based on high quality evidence and data, and centred on children’s best interest.
We also need the Federal government to ensure that families are compensated for the expenses that are being downloaded to them by the Provincial government. Families have foregone work to stay at home, paid for childcare so they continue working or manage the isolation, and paid for mental health services not available through the health system. This is an enormous economic burden for families.
Sincerely,