School lunchroom fees should be blamed on provincial government, Sask. NDP say
The NDP opposition is calling on the provincial government to take the blame for school lunchroom fees. Several school boards plan to implement them for fall to cover government funding shortfalls.
The Premier has objected to the added cost for parents but the NDP said it’s of his own doing.
“Scott Moe has the audacity to jet-set his way to New York during an affordability crisis and stand in an airport and blame school boards for not balancing their books,” NDP MLA Matt Love said.
Regina Catholic Schools are the latest to impose a lunchroom fee for fall. It will be $70 for the year. Saskatoon’s two school boards also plan to implement varying fees.
“Because of the fact that we are trying to balance our budget with the funds that we’ve been given by the ministry, we’ve had to look at areas that we normally would not look at,” chair, Regina Catholic Schools Vicky Bonnell said.
Two weeks ago, the premier suggested such fees are unnecessary.
“They most certainly should be looking at using some of the reserves that have been growing in the last few years as opposed to sending out invoices to parents,” Premier Scott Moe said.
The Saskatchewan School Boards Association said reserves have designated purposes such as fleet renewal and are not there to cover operating shortfalls.
“And we welcome the opportunity and hope to have further conversation with the government about reserves and really helping to explain and paint a picture of why they are where they are and define exactly what they are,” president of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association, Shaun Davidson said.
Regina Public Schools will pass its budget next week, one day before the government’s June 30th deadline. The NDP said a $50 million top-up is required for school boards. The government will decide if more money is possible once all the budgets are submitted.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.