Goldie Ghamari - Debate： Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act

00:00:00.000 Mr. Speaker, I would like to start off first by taking this opportunity to thank the Minister

00:00:05.920 of Education for introducing this very important bill and for all my colleagues for the really

00:00:10.560 informative and interesting discussion this morning.

00:00:13.680 Mr. Speaker, life skills is an area that is often neglectfully overlooked.

00:00:18.680 A few weeks ago, I hosted Minister Todd Smith for a meet-and-greet with BIAs, business owners

00:00:23.600 and farmers from across the riding of Carleton, and the lack of basic skills possessed by

00:00:29.000 children and youth is an issue that came up time and time again.

00:00:33.720 Graham Greene of Abbey Hill Farms explained that many of the students that come to work

00:00:37.680 on his farm don't have basic math skills, while others are unable to even cook for themselves.

00:00:43.980 Geoffrey Morris, owner of the Manatek Messenger and the Barhaven Independent, noted that he

00:00:48.760 knows honours students who can't even read an analogue clock.

00:00:53.320 Somewhere along the line, Mr. Speaker, over the last 15 years, we have failed our students.

00:00:59.000 We need to make sure our students are well-equipped to cope with stress, to feel confident in

00:01:03.880 their skills, and hope for a great future in whatever career path they choose.

00:01:09.700 I want to thank everyone who took the time to take part in our public consultation and

00:01:14.300 provided their feedback.

00:01:16.660 Know that your voice was heard and that the rich and extensive data our government has

00:01:21.480 collected will provide a pathway forward for years to come.

00:01:25.600 The Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act, if passed, will not only make sure that children

00:01:30.920 are learning in a safe and supportive space, but it will also ensure that we have one of

00:01:36.040 the best education and childcare systems in the world.

00:01:40.160 We are sending a very clear message with the proposed changes in Bill 48.

00:01:44.920 The safety, health and well-being of our children in this province is our government's number

00:01:50.280 one priority.

00:01:52.280 Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Goldie Ghamari - February 28, 2019