LAGRANGE MUST ATTEND DAILY BRIEFING AND DEFEND HER RE-ENTRY PLAN

EDMONTON - Alberta’s NDP Official Opposition is calling on Education Minister Adriana LaGrange to show up at today’s daily COVID-19 briefing with Dr. Deena Hinshaw.

More than a week after Alberta students began returning to overcrowded classrooms, LaGrange has failed to appear at any of the briefings, sending her deputy in her place. She has, however, been spotted at several photo-ops in the Edmonton area.

“It’s not acceptable for the Education Minister to hide from scrutiny while kids go back to school during a pandemic,” said Sarah Hoffman, NDP Official Opposition Critic for Education. “She is responsible for the school system and the decisions she is making, not her deputy, and Albertans have the right to hear her explain why she failed to give schools the resources they need to keep students, staff, families and communities safe.”

Students at several Alberta schools have recorded videos of packed hallways, 38 schools have reported confirmed COVID-19 cases, and three schools have outbreaks.  A non-profit group is reporting these cases online, in the absence of a government website with timely updates.

Some Alberta parents have chosen to leave their jobs and keep their children home due to the government’s failure to limit class sizes.

“I’m very disappointed to see such a failure of leadership from Adriana LaGrange,” Hoffman said. “She should skip the photo-ops and appear at today’s daily briefing and answer for her decisions.”