Sask. Party must now act to address asbestos concerns in our schools

With the federal government committing to ban asbestos by 2018, the Saskatchewan NDP is renewing its call for the Sask. Party to get to work addressing the issues faced by the 500 Saskatchewan schools that are on the asbestos registry, starting with those with crumbling infrastructure.

“Throughout Saskatchewan, there are schools with serious infrastructure issues,” said Education Critic Carla Beck. “When left undisturbed, asbestos in our buildings is not a big deal but, coupled with failing infrastructure such as crumbling roofs and leaky pipes, the possibility of danger becomes a reality.”

Government reports show that nearly 75 per cent of school roofs can fail in the next five years, and $1.5B is needed to address infrastructure needs in schools.

“Having a safe and healthy environment for our kids and their teachers is obviously the very least that can be expected,” Beck said. “But the Sask. Party has sat idly by while the infrastructure issues have mounted and they’ve taken no meaningful action on the asbestos registry since it was established.”

Jesse Todd, the chair of the Saskatchewan Asbestos Awareness Organization, knows firsthand the dangers of asbestos and feels the provincial government needs to make this issue a priority.

“We can no longer ignore the health risks that are associated with asbestos exposure and the mere fact that there are schools with asbestos in Saskatchewan that are currently sitting in a state of disrepair is disturbing to say the least,” Todd said.

Latest posts

CARLA BECK’S BIG, BOLD HEALTHCARE TRANSFORMATION STARTS WITH GUARANTEED ACCESS TO PRIMARY CARE TEAM

Four-Pillar Plan Will Build Healthcare Homes, Connect Local Services and Bring Care Closer to People
SASKATOON – Carla Beck’s team is unveiling the first phase of its plan to transform the province’s struggling healthcare system — guaranteeing every Saskatchewan resident access to a primary care team that knows them, coordinates their care and is responsible for them over time.

SCOTT MOE NEEDS TO REVERSE ELIMINATION OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE TESTING PROGRAM

Carla Beck’s Team Stand With Hunters To Decry Shortsighted, Out-Of-Touch Decision By Sask. Party

REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is continuing to join widespread calls from hunters and wildlife groups for Scott Moe to reverse his senseless cut to chronic wasting disease testing. The decision was made without consultation or warning in the middle of Saskatchewan's hunting season.

NINETY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WITH DEMENTIA LEFT IN OVERRUN HOSPITAL HALLWAY FOR THREE DAYS

Devastated Son Steps Forward To Demand Better After Horrendous Ordeal At Royal University Hospital
SASKATOON – Carla Beck’s team is demanding answers from the Sask. Party and a formal investigation as another deeply disturbing ordeal has emerged from the overrun Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.

CARLA BECK'S TEAM CALLS FOR KEVIN WEEDMARK'S SECRET EXEMPTIONS TO BE CANCELLED

MLAs Responsible For Managing Finances of the Legislature Were Left In The Dark About Weedmark's Special Privileges
REGINA – Saskatchewan's Board of Internal Economy was not made aware that Sask. Party MLA Kevin Weedmark had been given a secret exemption to allow him to sell advertising in his newspaper to his colleagues.

NDP Caucus Office