MLA wants answers on health and safety at TOSH
Kensington Malpeque MLA Matthew MacKay says concerns being raised during ongoing renovations
Two cabinet ministers say that everything possible is being done to ensure the health and safety of students and staff at Three Oaks Senior High School during ongoing renovations.
Kensington-Malpeque MLA Matthew MacKay questioned Education Minister Jordan Brown and Infrastructure Minister Paula Biggar about the safety of students who are attending classes during extensive renovations underway at the Summerside high school.
During question period, MacKay cited past breaches in containment protocols designed to protect staff and students from exposure to asbestos and other contaminants.
“There have been ongoing environmental issues with this project,” said MacKay.
He also noted a situation last month where students and staff using the facility after class hours had to be evacuated because of health concerns.
One student, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Salt wire Network at that time that the incident was concerning for them.
“A lot of the students, especially the ones from last night’s activity, are feeling unsafe and don’t want to go back into the school.”
“You could literally rub your finger along a desk and your fingertip would be covered. We don’t feel it’s safe. There have been students today saying that they’re finding it hard to breathe.”
MacKay questioned whether everything possible was being done to protect staff and students during the construction period.
Brown assured the legislature that all possible steps to protect staff and students at TOSH have been implemented.
“Great efforts have been undertaken, Mr. Speaker to ensure that, to the extent possible, all the construction areas are sealed off … to the rest of the school, and students … have been undertaking their classes in different areas of the school while those construction projects are going on,” said Brown.
Biggar assured the legislature that air quality is monitored at the school daily and that it is a safe environment.
“I want to assure everyone that that is a safe working environment, strictly adhered to by Workers Compensation, by environmental officers,” she said.
TOSH is in the midst of a $22.6 million upgrade that is expected to be completed later in 2018.