nationalobserver--2020-08-12--A guide to back-to-school rules across the country

Here is a look at what the various provinces have said about getting kids back to classes .
Plans are being made across the country for how to safely send students back to school in the fall as the COVID-19 pandemic continues .
Physical distancing : Students and staff do n't need to maintain physical distancing within their learning group , but contact should be minimized .
Outside the group , physical distancing is required .
Students should be more spaced out in classrooms .
Groups : Students will be sorted into learning groups to reduce the number of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elementary and middle school students , groups will be no larger than 60 people .
Secondary school groups will be capped at 120 .
Back to class : Schools were initially scheduled to welcome students back full time on Sept. 8 , but the province announced it is pushing back the restart date .
Education Minister Rob Fleming says students will be welcomed back to classrooms later in the second week of September after staff review the latest B.C .
Centre for Disease Control guidelines and school operation policies .
No official date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to schools .
British Columbia has laid out its plan for studies to resume in `` learning groups '' this fall .
School districts are to post final back-to-school details online by Aug. 26 .
Physical distancing : Physical distancing is recommended when possible .
Rooms should be rearranged to increase space between desks .
Groups : Schools should sort students into cohorts by class when possible to minimize contact with others .
Back to class : School will be back in session with extra safety measures , but the province says there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning .
The province is planning to fully reopen schools from kindergarten to Grade 12 this fall .
Measures will be tightened if an outbreak occurs and class sizes could be reduced to 20 .
Transportation : Middle and high school students are asked to wear masks on buses .
Students should be assigned seats , and a transparent barrier may be used to separate the driver .
New routines : The province is urging schools to stagger recess , lunch and class transition times and take students outside whenever possible .
Masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to wear masks in schools , but the province says it 's a `` personal choice that will always be respected . ''
New routines : Schools are advised to consider a `` no sharing policy , '' with each student bringing their own supplies .
Class , lunch and recess schedules will be staggered .
Transportation : Parents are asked to bring their children to school if they can .
Students who take the bus will sit in the same seat every day .
Masks : Masks will be mandatory for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settings .
Students in Grades 4 to 12 must wear masks in all common areas , such as hallways and on buses .
Staff are required to wear masks whenever physical distancing can not be maintained .
Mask use will be optional for kids in kindergarten through Grade 3 .
The government says all students and staff will receive two reusable masks as part of the policy .
Saskatchewan first unveiled a set of back-to-school guidelines in June , but released more details Aug. 4 .
Back to class : Students will return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Groups : Groups of students and staff members assigned to them should stick together throughout the day and try not to mingle with other groups .
Schools should aim to minimize the number of different instructors who interact with students throughout the day .
Physical distancing : Officials say maintaining physical distance is `` less practical '' for younger children , and the focus should be on limiting physical contact .
Officials suggest limiting hugs and hand holding and suggest using alternative greetings such as air high fives .
Schools are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students can go before they are picked up by parents .
Masks : Staff are not required to wear masks or eye protection except when in close contact with someone who is sick .
The province says they should only be used when `` all other controls have been fully explored . ''
Transportation : Parents should take their kids to school when possible , and pickup and drop-offs should happen outside .
Students using school transportation should be assigned seats , and a partition may be used to separate the driver .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lunch and class transitions may be staggered to allow for more space for physical distancing .
Schools should rearrange their classrooms to space out students .
Students and staff are asked to bring hand sanitizer .
The Manitoba government says most students are to be back in classrooms on Sept. 8 with new guidelines to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 .
Back to class : All students from kindergarten to Grade 8 are to have in-class instruction five days a week .
High school students will also be in class full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is inadequate space for physical distancing , in which case there will be some days of remote learning .
Groups : When physical distancing is n't possible , students will have to be organized into cohorts no larger than 75 , and minimize contact with others .
In these cases , there must be at least one metre between their desks .
Physical distancing : The province says students are required to maintain a two-metre distance to `` the greatest extent possible . ''
When it is n't possible , physical barriers may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arranged to encourage separation .
Masks : Masks are not required for students or staff .
Transportation : Buses will be running at reduced capacity , and parents will be asked to transport their children to school if they can .
New routines : Lunch and recess are to be staggered to minimize congestion , and in many cases teachers will change classrooms instead of students .
Ontario students will be back in class September , but their schedules and class sizes may vary depending on where they live .
Back to class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be in school five days a week in standard class sizes .
However , secondary students at two dozen boards that are higher risk will only attend class half the time , and will spend the rest of the week working on `` curriculum-linked independent work . ''
Parents will also have the option to keep their kids out of class , and boards must provide options for remote learning .
Groups : For high schoolers in high-risk districts , class sizes will be capped at 15 .
Meanwhile , elementary students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups , but will be grouped into cohorts and their exposure to different teachers will be limited .
Physical distancing : While Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the aim is to keep students one metre apart from each other , a guidance document says only that schools should promote `` as much distancing as possible '' rather than being strictly enforced .
Masks : Masks will be mandatory for students in Grades 4 through 12 , and will be strongly encouraged for younger kids when they 're in indoor common areas .
Staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Transportation : Some school boards may have more than one student assigned to a seat .
When physical distancing is n't possible , masks will be mandatory for students in Grades 4 to 12 , and younger students will be encouraged but not required to do the same .
New routines : Students in some districts will have to pre-register for in-person schooling .
Some schools may limit or even ban visitors , including parents .
Breaks will be scheduled to allow students to wash their hands .
All elementary and high school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend class in September unless they have a doctor 's note indicating they 're at high risk of COVID-19 complications or they live with someone at risk .
Those students will be allowed to study remotely .
Back to class : Class attendance is mandatory for elementary and high school students .
For Grades 10 and 11 , schools have the option of alternating schedules where students attend one day out of every two — as long as schools can not maintain stable classroom bubbles .
Grade 10 and 11 students are encouraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Groups : Each classroom will be its own bubble and students will not be required to maintain a two-metre distance between classmates .
Physical distancing : Students will need to keep a two-metre distance from all school staff , as well as all other students outside their classroom bubble .
There are no physical distancing requirements for children or teachers in pre-school .
Masks : All students in Grade 5 and up — as well as all school staff — must wear a mask inside all common areas of the school except @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed when students are eating .
Transportation : No more than 48 students will be allowed on a school bus , with no more than two students sitting on the same bench .
Preschool and elementary school students are strongly encouraged to wear masks , while older students are required to wear them .
New routines : When schools return in the fall , teachers will move from classroom to classroom , but students will stay put .
Backup plans : In the event of an outbreak in one class , the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue studies remotely .
Authorities are also putting together an emergency protocol in the event of a second wave to ensure instruction continues online if entire schools are again forced to close .
Ideas include quickly distributing tablets or laptops to students needing them and establishing a digital platform to continue courses and maintain communication .
The province has outlined a set of requirements schools must follow in developing their plans for the fall .
Back to class : Students in kindergarten to Grade 8 are to attend school full time , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be taught using a combination of in-class and remote instruction .
At-home course work can include online learning , guided projects and experiential education .
Groups : For kindergarten through Grade 2 , group sizes will be reduced to about 15 , wherever possible .
Group sizes should also be shrunk for Grades 3 to 5 .
Grades 6 to 8 will resume at regular class sizes .
Students in Grades 9 to 12 will not be grouped because of their schedules and course options .
Physical distance : Grade 9 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-metre distance , while a two-metre distance is recommended in common areas at all grade levels .
Masks : It 's unclear where the province stands on staff and students wearing masks .
Transportation : The province says it 's working with school districts to develop plans for transportation .
Pickup and drop-off schedules may be staggered .
New routines : Arrivals , breaks and lunches are to be staggered .
Public access to school buildings will be limited , and students , staff and visitors may also be subject to screening .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have their own laptop or similar device , and some subsidies will be available .
Schools on the Island are preparing to welcome all students back to class , while drafting backup plans for remote studies if required .
Back to class : Schools are to reopen for teachers and staff on Sept. 1 and for students on Sept. 8 .
Groups : Students will be organized into cohorts when possible and limit their exposure to others .
Physical distancing : Students will be taught about the importance of physical distancing , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hired .
Schools are also asked to reduce class sizes as much as possible , reconfigure classrooms and make use of spaces such as libraries and multipurpose rooms .
Masks : The province says all staff and students in Grades 7-12 are `` strongly recommended '' to wear masks when physical distancing can not be maintained .
Students from kindergarten through Grade 6 may wear masks when physical distancing is impossible .
Staff interacting with children who have complex medical needs are strongly recommended to wear face shields and gloves .
Transportation : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to school whenever possible .
To reduce the number of riders on buses , schools may add vehicles and routes or implement walk-to-school programs .
It is strongly recommended that all students and drivers wear masks on the bus .
New routines : P.E.I .
education authorities are revising curricula for this school year to make up for learning gaps caused by lockdown constraints .
Schools will stagger schedules to minimize congestion .
The provincial school food program will be expanded next year in keeping with public health precautions .
Elementary school students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Education Minister Zach Churchill says the province 's objective is for schools to return to 100 per cent capacity in the fall , but its plan includes measures to address the possible onset of a second wave of COVID-19 .
Back to class : The province aims to have all elementary and high school students in classrooms by Sept. 8 .
Groups : Students will be asked to keep to cohorts .
Physical distancing : Students and staff will be encouraged to maintain a two-metre distance whenever possible .
Lecture rooms will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Masks : Masks are not required in classrooms , but students and staff may choose to wear them .
While it 's recommended that they bring their own , masks will be provided to those who do n't have one .
Staff and students in Grades 10 to 12 must wear masks when physical distancing is difficult .
Transportation : Students who take the school bus will be required to wear non-medical masks .
New routines : Only students and staff will be permitted to enter school buildings .
When possible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classes outdoors .
Students will be asked to bring their own computers to school , and the province says it has acquired an additional 14,000 devices for those with limited access to technology .
Backup plans : If a COVID-19 outbreak occurs during the academic year , schools will move to a blended learning model with smaller class sizes and home learning for older students .
The province 's back-to-school plan aims to maximize in-class attendance with the option of a return to remote learning if the COVID-19 risk increases .
Back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three scenarios — in-class instruction , remote learning or a combination of both , depending on the COVID-19 risk in a particular community .
Groups : Cohorting by class is recommended when it 's feasible , but students ' schedules should n't be disrupted to support smaller groupings .
Physical distancing : Schools should aim to create a two-metre distance between desks , or as much distance as possible .
However , provincial authorities say these precautions should not interfere with the daily school routine , and strict physical distancing should not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is not practical and can cause psychological harm .
Masks : The province does not recommend masks for children , but says their use should not be `` stigmatized '' for those that choose to wear them .
Staff will not be required to wear masks if physical distancing is possible .
Transportation : It will be up to school districts to determine their transportation operations , considering precautions such as assigning seats and separating the driver with a physical divider .
New routines : All students must bring their own supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' policy .
Backup plans : In the event of moderate-to-widespread transmission of COVID-19 , school districts will move to online learning .
Classroom attendance should be limited to about 50 per cent when the COVID-19 risk in a community is considered low to moderate .
Newfoundland and Labrador says it will spend $ 20 million to purchase laptops for teachers and students in Grades 7 through 12 to support remote learning .
The territorial government says it 's making plans for the next school year that include flexibility around the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second wave of COVID-19 or increased risk of transmission .
It says each school will determine how it will adjust its operations to meet those guidelines , and school principals and staff are expected to share that information prior to September .
Back to class : Preliminary plans indicate that in rural communities , all students will return to school full time .
In Whitehorse , however , kids in kindergarten through Grade 9 will return to full-day in-school instruction , while Grades 10 to 12 will spend half their day in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Groups : Class sizes may be smaller to meet safety restrictions .
Transportation : Bus school and schedules will be posted to the territory 's website .
New routines : Schedule shakeups may mean that some students wo n't have their regular teacher or the same classmates .
School meal programs may be adapted with new safety measures and pickup options .
Backup plans : The territory has outlined a spectrum of school options if the risk to the community increases , ranging from rotating schedules to suspension of face-to-face learning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen their doors this fall .
The territory says education authorities are taking a flexible approach in their planning to account for a potential second wave of COVID-19 in the fall .
Back to class : While plans will vary from school to school , the territory will offer in-person instruction whenever possible , while ensuring alternative options are available .
Groups : Students in kindergarten through Grade 6 will be in classroom `` bubbles , '' and wo n't have to practise physical distancing within these groups .
Physical distancing : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are asked to maintain a one-metre distance from each other , and two-metre distance from staff .
Grade 10 to 12 students are asked to allow for two metres of distance from their peers and instructors .
Masks : Students of all ages may be required to wear masks in situations where physical distance can not be practised , such as moving through the hallways .
Transportation : There may be changes to bus schedules , and all riders will be required to wear masks .
New routines : More time will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schedules may also look different .
Students are asked to label personal items and not share .
Backup plans : The territory says schools are preparing to shift between in-person , distance and blended learning at short notice should there become active COVID-19 cases .
The territory has released a four-stage plan for reopening schools based on the risk of the novel coronavirus in a community .
Back to class : There are no reported COVID-19 cases in Nunavut , so all schools are set to reopen this fall with enhanced cleaning and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommended that schools cohort students by class and limit mixing as much as possible .
Physical distancing : Distance requirements will depend on what stage a community is in , and will primarily be achieved by limiting school attendance .
Masks : In most cases , the use of masks is not recommended for children .
If there are exceptions , parents will be notified , and masks will be provided .
Transportation : As it stands , bus schedules are set to resume .
Students older than 13 may be required to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities will be limited .
Students wo n't be allowed to share food in lunchrooms .
Backup plans : The territory says schools could go part-time if contact tracing were to identify a possible source of COVID-19 .
All schools would be closed if community transmission were to take place .
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on Aug. 11 , 2020 .

British Columbia has laid out its plan for studies to resume in "learning groups" this fall. School districts are to post final back-to-school details online by Aug. 26.
Here is a look at what the various provinces have said about getting kids back to classes.
Plans are being made across the country for how to safely send students back to school in the fall as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Physical distancing : Students and staff don't need to maintain physical distancing within their learning group, but contact should be minimized. Outside the group, physical distancing is required. Students should be more spaced out in classrooms.
Groups: Students will be sorted into learning groups to reduce the number of people they come in contact with. For elementary and middle school students, groups will be no larger than 60 people. Secondary school groups will be capped at 120.
Back to class: Schools were initially scheduled to welcome students back full time on Sept. 8, but the province announced it is pushing back the restart date. Education Minister Rob Fleming says students will be welcomed back to classrooms later in the second week of September after staff review the latest B.C. Centre for Disease Control guidelines and school operation policies. No official date has been set for children to return to schools.
Transportation: Middle and high school students are asked to wear masks on buses. Students should be assigned seats, and a transparent barrier may be used to separate the driver.
New routines: The province is urging schools to stagger recess, lunch and class transition times and take students outside whenever possible.
Masks: Students and staff will not be required to wear masks in schools, but the province says it's a "personal choice that will always be respected."
Groups: Schools should sort students into cohorts by class when possible to minimize contact with others.
Back to class: School will be back in session with extra safety measures, but the province says there are programs to support remote and alternative learning.
The province is planning to fully reopen schools from kindergarten to Grade 12 this fall. Measures will be tightened if an outbreak occurs and class sizes could be reduced to 20.
Physical distancing: Physical distancing is recommended when possible. Rooms should be rearranged to increase space between desks.
Masks: Masks will be mandatory for staff and many students in some school settings. Students in Grades 4 to 12 must wear masks in all common areas, such as hallways and on buses. Staff are required to wear masks whenever physical distancing cannot be maintained. Mask use will be optional for kids in kindergarten through Grade 3. The government says all students and staff will receive two reusable masks as part of the policy.
Transportation: Parents are asked to bring their children to school if they can. Students who take the bus will sit in the same seat every day.
New routines: Schools are advised to consider a "no sharing policy," with each student bringing their own supplies. Class, lunch and recess schedules will be staggered.
---
SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatchewan first unveiled a set of back-to-school guidelines in June, but released more details Aug. 4.
Back to class: Students will return to class as early as Sept. 1.
Groups: Groups of students and staff members assigned to them should stick together throughout the day and try not to mingle with other groups. Schools should aim to minimize the number of different instructors who interact with students throughout the day.
Physical distancing: Officials say maintaining physical distance is "less practical" for younger children, and the focus should be on limiting physical contact. Officials suggest limiting hugs and hand holding and suggest using alternative greetings such as air high fives. Schools are also to have dedicated quarantine areas where symptomatic students can go before they are picked up by parents.
Masks: Staff are not required to wear masks or eye protection except when in close contact with someone who is sick. The province says they should only be used when "all other controls have been fully explored."
Transportation: Parents should take their kids to school when possible, and pickup and drop-offs should happen outside. Students using school transportation should be assigned seats, and a partition may be used to separate the driver.
New routines: Start times, recess, lunch and class transitions may be staggered to allow for more space for physical distancing. Schools should rearrange their classrooms to space out students. Students and staff are asked to bring hand sanitizer.
---
MANITOBA
The Manitoba government says most students are to be back in classrooms on Sept. 8 with new guidelines to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Back to class: All students from kindergarten to Grade 8 are to have in-class instruction five days a week. High school students will also be in class full time, except in schools where there is inadequate space for physical distancing, in which case there will be some days of remote learning.
Groups: When physical distancing isn't possible, students will have to be organized into cohorts no larger than 75, and minimize contact with others. In these cases, there must be at least one metre between their desks.
Physical distancing: The province says students are required to maintain a two-metre distance to "the greatest extent possible." When it isn't possible, physical barriers may be an option. Spaces should be arranged to encourage separation.
Masks: Masks are not required for students or staff.
Transportation: Buses will be running at reduced capacity, and parents will be asked to transport their children to school if they can.
New routines: Lunch and recess are to be staggered to minimize congestion, and in many cases teachers will change classrooms instead of students.
---
ONTARIO
Ontario students will be back in class September, but their schedules and class sizes may vary depending on where they live.
Back to class: Elementary students and many high schoolers will be in school five days a week in standard class sizes. However, secondary students at two dozen boards that are higher risk will only attend class half the time, and will spend the rest of the week working on "curriculum-linked independent work." Parents will also have the option to keep their kids out of class, and boards must provide options for remote learning.
Groups: For high schoolers in high-risk districts, class sizes will be capped at 15. Meanwhile, elementary students won't be broken up into smaller groups, but will be grouped into cohorts and their exposure to different teachers will be limited.
Physical distancing: While Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the aim is to keep students one metre apart from each other, a guidance document says only that schools should promote "as much distancing as possible" rather than being strictly enforced.
Masks: Masks will be mandatory for students in Grades 4 through 12, and will be strongly encouraged for younger kids when they're in indoor common areas. Staff will be expected to wear masks.
Transportation: Some school boards may have more than one student assigned to a seat. When physical distancing isn't possible, masks will be mandatory for students in Grades 4 to 12, and younger students will be encouraged but not required to do the same.
New routines: Students in some districts will have to pre-register for in-person schooling. Some schools may limit or even ban visitors, including parents. Breaks will be scheduled to allow students to wash their hands.
---
QUEBEC
All elementary and high school students in Quebec will be required to attend class in September unless they have a doctor's note indicating they're at high risk of COVID-19 complications or they live with someone at risk. Those students will be allowed to study remotely.
Back to class: Class attendance is mandatory for elementary and high school students. For Grades 10 and 11, schools have the option of alternating schedules where students attend one day out of every two — as long as schools cannot maintain stable classroom bubbles. Grade 10 and 11 students are encouraged to attend classes as much as possible.
Groups: Each classroom will be its own bubble and students will not be required to maintain a two-metre distance between classmates.
Physical distancing: Students will need to keep a two-metre distance from all school staff, as well as all other students outside their classroom bubble. There are no physical distancing requirements for children or teachers in pre-school.
Masks: All students in Grade 5 and up — as well as all school staff — must wear a mask inside all common areas of the school except the classroom. Masks can also be removed when students are eating.
Transportation: No more than 48 students will be allowed on a school bus, with no more than two students sitting on the same bench. Preschool and elementary school students are strongly encouraged to wear masks, while older students are required to wear them.
New routines: When schools return in the fall, teachers will move from classroom to classroom, but students will stay put.
Backup plans: In the event of an outbreak in one class, the entire classroom bubble will be sent home to continue studies remotely. Authorities are also putting together an emergency protocol in the event of a second wave to ensure instruction continues online if entire schools are again forced to close. Ideas include quickly distributing tablets or laptops to students needing them and establishing a digital platform to continue courses and maintain communication.
---
NEW BRUNSWICK
The province has outlined a set of requirements schools must follow in developing their plans for the fall.
Back to class: Students in kindergarten to Grade 8 are to attend school full time, while those in Grades 9 to 12 are to be taught using a combination of in-class and remote instruction. At-home course work can include online learning, guided projects and experiential education.
Groups: For kindergarten through Grade 2, group sizes will be reduced to about 15, wherever possible. Group sizes should also be shrunk for Grades 3 to 5. Grades 6 to 8 will resume at regular class sizes. Students in Grades 9 to 12 will not be grouped because of their schedules and course options.
Physical distance: Grade 9 to 12 classrooms are required to maintain a one-metre distance, while a two-metre distance is recommended in common areas at all grade levels.
Masks: It's unclear where the province stands on staff and students wearing masks.
Transportation: The province says it's working with school districts to develop plans for transportation. Pickup and drop-off schedules may be staggered.
New routines: Arrivals, breaks and lunches are to be staggered. Public access to school buildings will be limited, and students, staff and visitors may also be subject to screening. High school students will be expected to have their own laptop or similar device, and some subsidies will be available.
---
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Schools on the Island are preparing to welcome all students back to class, while drafting backup plans for remote studies if required.
Back to class: Schools are to reopen for teachers and staff on Sept. 1 and for students on Sept. 8.
Groups: Students will be organized into cohorts when possible and limit their exposure to others.
Physical distancing: Students will be taught about the importance of physical distancing, and extra teaching and cleaning staff may be hired. Schools are also asked to reduce class sizes as much as possible, reconfigure classrooms and make use of spaces such as libraries and multipurpose rooms.
Masks: The province says all staff and students in Grades 7-12 are "strongly recommended" to wear masks when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Students from kindergarten through Grade 6 may wear masks when physical distancing is impossible. Staff interacting with children who have complex medical needs are strongly recommended to wear face shields and gloves.
Transportation: Parents are asked to take their kids to school whenever possible. To reduce the number of riders on buses, schools may add vehicles and routes or implement walk-to-school programs. It is strongly recommended that all students and drivers wear masks on the bus.
New routines: P.E.I. education authorities are revising curricula for this school year to make up for learning gaps caused by lockdown constraints. Schools will stagger schedules to minimize congestion. The provincial school food program will be expanded next year in keeping with public health precautions. Elementary school students will stay in their classrooms for lunch.
---
NOVA SCOTIA
Education Minister Zach Churchill says the province's objective is for schools to return to 100 per cent capacity in the fall, but its plan includes measures to address the possible onset of a second wave of COVID-19.
Back to class: The province aims to have all elementary and high school students in classrooms by Sept. 8.
Groups: Students will be asked to keep to cohorts.
Physical distancing: Students and staff will be encouraged to maintain a two-metre distance whenever possible. Lecture rooms will be reorganized to increase space between desks.
Masks: Masks are not required in classrooms, but students and staff may choose to wear them. While it's recommended that they bring their own, masks will be provided to those who don't have one. Staff and students in Grades 10 to 12 must wear masks when physical distancing is difficult.
Transportation: Students who take the school bus will be required to wear non-medical masks.
New routines: Only students and staff will be permitted to enter school buildings. When possible, teachers will be asked to move their classes outdoors. Students will be asked to bring their own computers to school, and the province says it has acquired an additional 14,000 devices for those with limited access to technology.
Backup plans: If a COVID-19 outbreak occurs during the academic year, schools will move to a blended learning model with smaller class sizes and home learning for older students.
---
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
The province's back-to-school plan aims to maximize in-class attendance with the option of a return to remote learning if the COVID-19 risk increases.
Back to class: The province's plan outlines three scenarios — in-class instruction, remote learning or a combination of both, depending on the COVID-19 risk in a particular community.
Groups: Cohorting by class is recommended when it's feasible, but students' schedules shouldn't be disrupted to support smaller groupings.
Physical distancing: Schools should aim to create a two-metre distance between desks, or as much distance as possible. However, provincial authorities say these precautions should not interfere with the daily school routine, and strict physical distancing should not be "over-emphasized" to children, because it is not practical and can cause psychological harm.
Masks: The province does not recommend masks for children, but says their use should not be "stigmatized" for those that choose to wear them. Staff will not be required to wear masks if physical distancing is possible.
Transportation: It will be up to school districts to determine their transportation operations, considering precautions such as assigning seats and separating the driver with a physical divider.
New routines: All students must bring their own supplies in keeping with a "no sharing" policy.
Backup plans: In the event of moderate-to-widespread transmission of COVID-19, school districts will move to online learning. Classroom attendance should be limited to about 50 per cent when the COVID-19 risk in a community is considered low to moderate. Newfoundland and Labrador says it will spend $20 million to purchase laptops for teachers and students in Grades 7 through 12 to support remote learning.
---
YUKON
The territorial government says it's making plans for the next school year that include flexibility around the number of students in classes if there's a second wave of COVID-19 or increased risk of transmission. It says each school will determine how it will adjust its operations to meet those guidelines, and school principals and staff are expected to share that information prior to September.
Back to class: Preliminary plans indicate that in rural communities, all students will return to school full time. In Whitehorse, however, kids in kindergarten through Grade 9 will return to full-day in-school instruction, while Grades 10 to 12 will spend half their day in the classroom, and the rest learning remotely.
Groups: Class sizes may be smaller to meet safety restrictions.
Masks: Wearing masks is a personal choice.
Transportation: Bus school and schedules will be posted to the territory's website.
New routines: Schedule shakeups may mean that some students won't have their regular teacher or the same classmates. School meal programs may be adapted with new safety measures and pickup options.
Backup plans: The territory has outlined a spectrum of school options if the risk to the community increases, ranging from rotating schedules to suspension of face-to-face learning.
---
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
All N.W.T. schools have submitted plans to reopen their doors this fall. The territory says education authorities are taking a flexible approach in their planning to account for a potential second wave of COVID-19 in the fall.
Back to class: While plans will vary from school to school, the territory will offer in-person instruction whenever possible, while ensuring alternative options are available.
Groups: Students in kindergarten through Grade 6 will be in classroom "bubbles," and won't have to practise physical distancing within these groups.
Physical distancing: For Grades 7 to 9, students are asked to maintain a one-metre distance from each other, and two-metre distance from staff. Grade 10 to 12 students are asked to allow for two metres of distance from their peers and instructors.
Masks: Students of all ages may be required to wear masks in situations where physical distance cannot be practised, such as moving through the hallways.
Transportation: There may be changes to bus schedules, and all riders will be required to wear masks.
New routines: More time will be spent learning outside. School hours and schedules may also look different. Students are asked to label personal items and not share.
Backup plans: The territory says schools are preparing to shift between in-person, distance and blended learning at short notice should there become active COVID-19 cases.
---
NUNAVUT
The territory has released a four-stage plan for reopening schools based on the risk of the novel coronavirus in a community.
Back to class: There are no reported COVID-19 cases in Nunavut, so all schools are set to reopen this fall with enhanced cleaning and safety precautions.
Groups: It is recommended that schools cohort students by class and limit mixing as much as possible.
Physical distancing: Distance requirements will depend on what stage a community is in, and will primarily be achieved by limiting school attendance.
Masks: In most cases, the use of masks is not recommended for children. If there are exceptions, parents will be notified, and masks will be provided.
Transportation: As it stands, bus schedules are set to resume. Students older than 13 may be required to wear masks.
New routines: Group activities will be limited. Students won't be allowed to share food in lunchrooms.
Backup plans: The territory says schools could go part-time if contact tracing were to identify a possible source of COVID-19. All schools would be closed if community transmission were to take place.
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on Aug. 11, 2020.


nationalobserver--2020-08-12--B.C. parents and teachers worry about masks and distancing with back-to-school plans

The province ’ s messaging around pandemic protocols seems contradictory when it comes to kids in school , said the Quadra Island mother .
While the public health messaging has been to keep to small groups , “ with children we 're just going to throw them all in together , ” Seitz said .
Monica Seitz says her three school-age kids won ’ t be headed back to school in September , due to concerns around physical distancing and mask use in the classroom .
Many teachers and parents are anxious about B.C.
’ s back-to-school plans , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return their kids to classrooms this fall at all .
The family is also at higher risk from COVID-19 , as Seitz and one of her children have compromised immune systems .
“ She 's such a tactile child , it would be a nightmare .
She ’ s the kid where I ’ m still like , ‘ Hey , please do n't lick things.
’ ” “ I might send the older one later on , but not my youngest for sure , ” she said .
Seitz doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids , is possible in a classroom setting .
Only 40 per cent of B.C .
parents have resolved to send their children back to school , compared to 59 per cent of parents nationally , according to a Leger survey .
Similar to many provinces across Canada , B.C .
currently doesn ’ t mandate masks in the classroom .
“ My neighbor , she 's 75 years old and is raising a seven year old .
He might be fine , but she ’ s at risk.
” “ It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be fine .
But they might be going home to elderly parents , ” Seitz said .
But , it ’ s a layer of protection even if flawed , she said .
“ But masks are n't the end all and be all .
Children , they 're going to scratch their nose , they 're going to touch their eyes.
” “ The majority of kids should be wearing them , ” Seitz said , adding the obvious exceptions would be students with any health issues or students with special needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grown-ups to socially distance and wear a mask , but we think kindergarteners are going to have a lock on that ?
” She said she would like to see masks mandated in classrooms , but she ’ s not entirely confident it would do much good , especially with young kids .
Alberta is making mask-wearing mandatory from Grade 4 to Grade 12 in common areas .
However , Ontario has mandated their students in Grades 4 to 12 use masks in schools , including in classrooms .
B.C .
provincial health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be encouraged in common areas such as hallways , or settings where distancing protocols can ’ t be maintained , especially among older students .
As well , guidelines from the Public Health Agency of Canada suggest students aged 10 or older wear masks at school .
Support for student mask use was highest in Ontario and B.C.
, which had very similar poll results .
It was lowest in the Prairies , with Alberta , Saskatchewan and Manitoba all showing 47 per cent support .
Kids are capable of wearing masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in favour of students wearing masks in classrooms to keep transmission rates in check .
Other countries and regions in the world have mandated masks in schools and classrooms , said McConnell , adding he ’ s lived abroad where mask use is a norm .
“ People point to the success of the reopening of schools in Asia , where mask use is common , ” the Quadra Island resident said .
“ Kindergarten kids are wearing masks with no problems .
They are used to it and totally capable of it.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection , given that class sizes in September will be larger than they were in June , with the province pushing for a near full return of students to classrooms , McConnell said .
Students with disabilities , many of whom are at higher risk from COVID-19 , would benefit if their peers wore masks , he added .
If masks were mandated in schools , with reasonable exceptions , it would provide more clarity and stop the constant cycle of debate on the issue , McConnell said .
“ If it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it just leads to people constantly arguing over whether you should wear mask or not.
” Without regulation , students or teachers with compromised health , or who have family who are at risk , are left in the uncomfortable position of trying to urge others to wear masks , he added .
“ An undue burden and onerous task is placed on ( those ) people … to defend themselves , avoid bullying and advocate for safe practices , ” McConnell said .
“ The idea that British Columbian ( students ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use masks appropriately is absurd.
” Dr. Henry restated on Monday that she didn ’ t believe it necessary to mandate the wearing of masks in classrooms , especially for young children .
While there was room for use of masks in schools , they fell at the end of a hierarchy of COVID-19 control measures , Henry said .
“ They are , as I said , one of the layers of protection that we have , ” she said , adding every school and classroom situation was unique .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surroundings to ensure distancing and to stem the transmission of the virus , she said .
Also , examining ventilation systems and staggering traffic flow in hallways and outside a building ’ s chokepoints are other tactics .
But having a younger child sitting all day in a classroom with a mask on was not realistic , Henry said .
“ I absolutely believe there 's a role for masks in places in our school settings , particularly for teachers and administrators , when they can not maintain distance , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks can interfere with the ability to learn.
” Terri Mooring , president of the BC Teachers ' Federation , said the most important measure to protect staff and students ’ health with the return to school was to ensure smaller class sizes .
It isn ’ t possible to ensure physical distancing in a typical middle-school classroom space with 30 students , Mooring said .
“ There seems to be a lack of recognition by folks , that maybe aren ’ t in schools every day , about how crowded schools are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Mooring said .
Also , daily health checks and ensuring hand-washing stations in every classroom are also key layers of protection , she said .
But again , smaller class sizes would enable teachers and students to use sink facilities more readily and more often , Mooring noted .
Additionally , teachers and administrators need more time to prepare schools for the safe return of staff and students , Mooring said .
Both the BCTF and B.C .
Principals ’ and Vice-Principals ’ Association have been pushing the province to consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than a full return on Sept. 8 .
On Tuesday , Education Minister Rob Fleming indicated a staggered return to school is being considered .
The province is working with a steering committee that includes key stakeholders in the K-12 system to ensure students are in classes and learning groups that will limit interactions and exposures to the virus , said Fleming .
“ If that takes some extra time and builds additional confidence and fulfils the guidelines that have been developed by Dr. Bonnie Henry and her team , that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Fleming stated during question period .
The province has also committed $ 45.6 million to school districts for enhanced cleaning , hand-washing stations , re-usable masks and other measures to support safe learning , the Education Ministry stated in an email Tuesday .
The ministry did not clarify if it was considering reducing class sizes as a measure to enhance distancing in schools .
As for masks , Mooring said teachers in classrooms are probably inclined to support recommendations they ’ ve heard from public health officials throughout the pandemic .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear the same message .
You either need to physically distance , and if you ca n't , you need to wear a mask , ” Mooring said .
“ And so , I guess teachers are hearing that message loud and clear in our communities , and are questioning why are we doing things differently in the classroom ?
”

Seitz doesn’t believe physical distancing, especially for younger kids, is possible in a classroom setting.
Only 40 per cent of B.C. parents have resolved to send their children back to school, compared to 59 per cent of parents nationally, according to a Leger survey.
The province’s messaging around pandemic protocols seems contradictory when it comes to kids in school, said the Quadra Island mother. While the public health messaging has been to keep to small groups, “with children, we're just going to throw them all in together,” Seitz said.
Monica Seitz says her three children won’t be headed back to school in September due to concerns around physical distancing and mask use in the classroom.
Many teachers and parents are anxious about B.C.’s back-to-school plans, and many are unsure if they’ll return their kids to classrooms this fall at all.
The family is also at higher risk from COVID-19, as Seitz and one of her children have compromised immune systems.
“She's such a tactile child, it would be a nightmare. She’s the kid where I’m still like, ‘Hey, please don't lick things.’”
“I might send the older one later on, but not my youngest, for sure,” she said.
“But masks aren't the end all and be all. Children, they're going to scratch their nose, they're going to touch their eyes.”
“The majority of kids should be wearing them,” Seitz said, adding the obvious exceptions would be students with any health issues or students with special needs.
“We can’t get grown-ups to socially distance and wear a mask, but we think kindergarteners are going to have a lock on that?”
She said she would like to see masks mandated in classrooms, but she’s not entirely confident it would do much good, especially with young kids.
“My neighbor, she's 75 years old and is raising a seven-year-old. He might be fine, but she’s at risk.”
“It's not just about the kids who might be fine. But they might be going home to elderly parents,” Seitz said.
But, it’s a layer of protection even if flawed, she said.
Similar to many provinces across Canada, B.C. currently doesn’t mandate masks in the classroom.
B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Monday masks will be encouraged in common areas such as hallways, or settings where distancing protocols can’t be maintained, especially among older students.
However, Ontario has mandated their students in Grades 4 to 12 use masks in schools, including in classrooms.
Alberta is making mask-wearing mandatory from Grade 4 to Grade 12 in common areas.
As well, guidelines from the Public Health Agency of Canada suggest students 10 or older wear masks at school.
A full 73 per cent of B.C. parents want to see children using masks in schools, according to another recent poll by Leger. Most of those in favour, 51 per cent, wanted students to wear masks at all times, versus 22 per cent who wanted masks worn only outside of class during recess, lunch or on a school bus.
Support for student mask use was highest in Ontario and B.C., which had very similar poll results.
It was lowest in the Prairies, with Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba all showing 47 per cent support.
Kids are capable of wearing masks in class
Teacher Brent McConnell says not mandating masks in schools puts students or staff at increased risks due to COVID-19 in the difficult position of having to urge others to wear them. Photo courtesy Brent McConnell.
Teacher Brent McConnell is strongly in favour of students wearing masks in classrooms to keep transmission rates in check.
Other countries and regions in the world have mandated masks in schools and classrooms, said McConnell, adding he’s lived abroad where mask use is a norm.
“People point to the success of the reopening of schools in Asia, where mask use is common,” the Quadra Island resident said.
“Kindergarten kids are wearing masks with no problems. They are used to it and totally capable of it.”
Masks provide an added layer of protection, given that class sizes in September will be larger than they were in June, with the province pushing for a near full return of students to classrooms, McConnell said.
Students with disabilities, many of whom are at higher risk from COVID-19, would benefit if their peers wore masks, he added.
If masks were mandated in schools, with reasonable exceptions, it would provide more clarity and stop the constant cycle of debate on the issue, McConnell said.
“If it's not mandated, and merely recommended, it just leads to people constantly arguing over whether you should wear a mask or not.”
Without regulation, students or teachers with compromised health, or who have family who are at risk, are left in the uncomfortable position of trying to urge others to wear masks, he added.
“An undue burden and onerous task is placed on (those) people … to defend themselves, avoid bullying and advocate for safe practices,” McConnell said.
“The idea that British Columbian (students) are incapable and incompetent of being able to use masks appropriately is absurd.”
Masks least effective layer of protection
Dr. Henry restated Monday that she didn’t believe it necessary to mandate the wearing of masks in classrooms, especially for young children.
While there was room for use of masks in schools, they fell at the end of a hierarchy of COVID-19 control measures, Henry said.
“They are, as I said, one of the layers of protection that we have,” she said, adding every school and classroom situation was unique.
Other measures could include adapting activities and school surroundings to ensure distancing and to stem the transmission of the virus, she said.
Also, examining ventilation systems and staggering traffic flow in hallways and outside a building’s chokepoints are other tactics.
But having a younger child sitting all day in a classroom with a mask on was not realistic, Henry said.
“I absolutely believe there's a role for masks in places in our school settings, particularly for teachers and administrators, when they cannot maintain distance,” she said.
“But we also know that masks can interfere with the ability to learn.”
BCTF president Teri Mooring is calling on the B.C. government to reduce class sizes and for a staggered return to school to protect the health of teachers and students in the fall. Photo courtesy of BCTF.
Terri Mooring, president of the BC Teachers' Federation, said the most important measure to protect staff and students’ health with the return to school was smaller class sizes.
It isn’t possible to ensure physical distancing in a typical middle school classroom space with 30 students, Mooring said.
“There seems to be a lack of recognition by folks that maybe aren’t in schools every day about how crowded schools are and how difficult social distancing might be,” Mooring said.
Also, daily health checks and ensuring hand-washing stations in every classroom are also key layers of protection, she said.
But again, smaller class sizes would enable teachers and students to use sink facilities more readily and more often, Mooring noted.
Additionally, teachers and administrators need more time to prepare schools for the safe return of staff and students, Mooring said.
Both the BCTF and the B.C. Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association have been pushing the province to consider flexible start dates based on school readiness rather than a full return on Sept. 8.
On Tuesday, Education Minister Rob Fleming indicated a staggered return to school was being considered.
The province is working with a steering committee that includes key stakeholders in the K-12 system to ensure students are in classes and learning groups that will limit interactions and exposure to the virus, Fleming stated.
“If that takes some extra time and builds additional confidence and fulfils the guidelines that have been developed by Dr. Bonnie Henry and her team, that's what we're going to do,” he said.
On Wednesday, the B.C. Education Ministry confirmed the first week of school will be graduated to allow students and staff extra time to get oriented to the new health and safety measures.
Staff will return to work Sept. 8 to meet with school health and safety committees. But students won’t be back at school until Sept. 10 when they’ll receive class orientations to the new protocols.
The province has also committed $45.6 million to school districts for enhanced cleaning, hand-washing stations, reusable masks and other measures to support safe learning, the Education Ministry stated in an email Tuesday.
The ministry did not clarify if it was considering reducing class sizes as a measure to enhance distancing in schools.
As for masks, Mooring said teachers in classrooms are probably inclined to support recommendations they’ve heard from public health officials throughout the pandemic.
“In the public realm, we always hear the same message. You either need to physically distance, and if you can't, you need to wear a mask,” Mooring said.
“And so, I guess teachers are hearing that message loud and clear in our communities, and are questioning why are we doing things differently in the classroom?”
Rochelle Baker/Local Journalism Initiative/Canada's National Observer
Editor’s note: Following the publication of this National Observer story, a change was made to include new information released by the B.C. Ministry of Education on Wednesday about the start dates of school in the fall.


nationalobserver--2020-08-12--Young B.C. farmers can't afford farmland

Instead , she rents her land , an increasingly common practice for new farmers across B.C .
— one she worries won ’ t be sustainable .
It ’ s an issue facing most young farmers in the province , and it threatens both their livelihoods and Canadians ’ long-term access to food .
“ There just isn ’ t accessible land for young farmers , ” explained Suda who co-owns Brave Child Farm , a specialty Asian vegetable farm in Surrey .
Farmland in the Vancouver area costs between $ 150,000 to $ 350,000 per acre .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — who both have off-farm jobs as well — can afford .
• Environmental groups take Ford government to court over COVID-19 recovery bill • David Suzuki , Catherine McKenna , Tzeporah Berman , Bruce Lourie , Graham Saul , Noam Chomsky on the fork in the road Nor can most farmers ; a 2016 report found that farmers in B.C.
’ s Lower Mainland would need to increase their prices by up to 70 per cent if they had to pay off mortgages on agricultural land .
Agricultural land in the Vancouver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 350,000 per acre .
The financial viability of farms in the province becomes questionable when land prices exceed $ 80,000 .
Photo by Ian Suda Suda had two options .
She could buy a farm outside the Vancouver area , taking her a long way from her market in the city and jeopardizing her off-season job as a civil engineer , or she could stay in the city and rent land .
She ’ s not alone .
Almost a third of active farmland in the Vancouver area is leased , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has encouraged as it tries to increase the number of young farmers in the province .
Between 2011 and 2016 , the average B.C .
farmer was 56 years old , and about 3,000 farmers stopped farming .
They haven ’ t been replaced : only nine per cent of the province ’ s farmers are under 35 , a demographic trend that concerns the provincial government and food security advocates alike .
As farmland prices rise , they limit the pool of potential buyers to corporations and wealthy individuals .
Endowed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their profits by farming industrially—an agricultural model that relies on pesticides , fossil fuels , monoculture , and migrant labour to sell primarily to international markets .
Farmland in the Vancouver area costs between $ 150,000 to $ 350,000 per acre .
That 's more than most B.C .
farmers can afford .
Most would need to increase their prices by up to 70 per cent if they had to pay off mortgages on agricultural land .
In contrast , small farmers like Suda grow several crops on their land in a season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acre than industrial farms , and with minimal environmental impacts .
They also better serve local markets and directly reinvest their profits into the B.C .
economy .
Close to 70 per cent of the vegetables consumed in B.C .
come from large farms in Mexico or California , two regions where agricultural production is anticipated to decline due to climate change and water scarcity .
And COVID-19 has made the issue more pressing : California ’ s Central Valley — the epicenter of North America ’ s industrial vegetable production , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been hit hard by the pandemic .
With limited safety measures in place , hundreds of workers have been infected , slowing harvests and exposing future weak links in the province ’ s food supply .
It ’ s a dependence the provincial NDP government pledged to change when it came to power in 2016 .
Since then , the province has sought to increase the amount of local food consumed by British Columbians , and grow a population of young farmers to supply them , particularly in the expensive and densely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Lana Popham , provincial minister of agriculture .
That goal led the province to partner with Young Agrarians , a B.C.-based non-profit , to run a matchmaking program that links prospective farmers with farmland owners , and supports them as they negotiate a land-sharing agreement .
Since the partnership was established in 2016 , it has matched 81 farmers with 1,884 hectares of land , mostly in the Fraser and Okanagan valleys .
“ It ’ s like a dating service for land , ” explained Darcy Smith , program manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modelled off previous successful initiatives in Québec and on Vancouver Island .
“ We ’ ll make introductions between farmers and landowners and if there ’ s a spark , and they like each other and all needs are met , we support the development of a land-sharing agreement.
” Darcy Smith manages the B.C .
Land Matching program .
The provincially funded initiative is run through Young Agrarians , a non-profit dedicated to supporting new farmers in the province , and aims to help new farmers access land .
Since 2007 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent .
Photo courtesy Darcy Smith That agreement is usually a licence or a lease , she explained , similar to the one Suda relies on to farm .
Each agreement is unique , with some lasting only a year , while others grant access to land for anywhere between five and 25 years .
If the relationship falls through , Smith said the program will try to help the farmer find a new and better-suited plot of land .
“ Owning the farm is by far the best , ” Suda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is you can ’ t put any infrastructure into it , because your lease is not guaranteed.
” Leasing limits large infrastructure investments such as greenhouses and irrigation systems that many farmers , especially produce farmers , use to increase their farm ’ s long-term viability and food-producing capacity .
Leasing also impacts which crops farmers decide to plant .
“ We ’ d like to , for example , put in more perennial crops , from fruit trees to things like asparagus , but those are things we can ’ t put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure , ” Suda said .
Beyond investments in infrastructure that often take decades to pay off , farmers ’ livelihoods depend on maintaining rich , healthy soils , built up over decades .
Almost a third of actively farmed farmland in the Vancouver area is accessed by farmers through leases with non-farming landowners .
Most of this land is owned by individuals .
Photo courtesy Metro Vancouver “ It takes a lifetime to build a farm .
It ’ s not like building a factory — you need to commit to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University .
Securing that longevity under the province ’ s current agricultural land policy is almost impossible , he said .
About five per cent of B.C .
is arable , and most of that land was protected as an agricultural land reserve in 1976 .
Land in the reserve may be farmed , forested or left vacant , but can ’ t be used for development .
It ’ s a policy that was groundbreaking in the 1970s , Mullinix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflect the economic forces pushing farmers off land and out of the industry .
The agricultural land reserve protected farmland , but didn ’ t prevent it from becoming as valuable as neighbouring , non-agricultural land .
This means that now , more than 40 years since the agricultural land reserve was created , agricultural land prices have climbed alongside property prices — prices most farmers can ’ t afford .
“ The value of the land is not supported by its value for agriculture .
It ’ s valued for other economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industrial land , speculative ownership .
All these things represent competing economic interests , and they drive the price up , ” Mullinix said .
In other words , most farmers in the Lower Mainland who , like Suda , didn ’ t inherit land , will never be able to own their farms .
In that context , land matches and leasing are the only options for many young farmers .
Mullinix said this isn ’ t sustainable for farmers , and doesn ’ t secure B.C.
’ s long-term food security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by policy changes by the provincial government , Mullinix said .
Those changes , outlined in a 2018 white paper , include regulating farmland leases , restricting the ownership of farmland to farmers , and establishing land banks — publicly owned farmland rented or sold to farmers exclusively for farming .
They ’ re options the province acknowledges , but for the most part has yet to implement in policy .
Farms demand longevity .
Longevity that 's in short supply if farmers need to lease their land , undermining B.C .
's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Photo by Ian Suda “ We don ’ t currently purchase farmland and put it in a land bank .
We don ’ t have the capacity to do that , ” Popham said .
“ But in the meantime , there ’ s a ton of new farmers that want to grow food in their communities and supporting them is part of the land-matching program.
” Still , that might not be enough for many new farmers trying to build their farms , including Suda .
Without secure access to farmland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll still be feeding British Columbians in 10 years .
“ If we lost this land , we would have to start almost from zero , and whether at that point we would have the emotional and psychological capacity to start all over again , knowing there ’ s no security in the land , ” she said .
“ I think that would be the breaking point .
”

Yuko Suda is a farmer. A farmer who can’t afford a farm. Instead, she rents her land, an increasingly common practice for new farmers across B.C. — one she worries won’t be sustainable. It’s an issue facing most young farmers in the province, and it threatens both their livelihoods and Canadians’ long-term access to food. “There just isn’t accessible land for young farmers,” explained Suda who co-owns Brave Child Farm, a specialty Asian vegetable farm in Surrey. It’s something she’s experienced firsthand. Farmland in the Vancouver area costs between $150,000 to $350,000 per acre. That’s more than Suda and her partner — who both have off-farm jobs as well — can afford.
Nor can most farmers; a 2016 report found that farmers in B.C.’s Lower Mainland would need to increase their prices by up to 70 per cent if they had to pay off mortgages on agricultural land. Agricultural land in the Vancouver area costs between $150,000 and $350,000 per acre. The financial viability of farms in the province becomes questionable when land prices exceed $80,000. Photo by Ian Suda Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Suda had two options. She could buy a farm outside the Vancouver area, taking her a long way from her market in the city and jeopardizing her off-season job as a civil engineer, or she could stay in the city and rent land.
She’s not alone. Almost a third of active farmland in the Vancouver area is leased, and it’s an approach the provincial government has encouraged as it tries to increase the number of young farmers in the province. Farmland in the Vancouver area costs between $150,000 to $350,000 per acre. That's more than most B.C. farmers can afford. Most would need to increase their prices by up to 70 per cent if they had to pay off mortgages on agricultural land. Between 2011 and 2016, the average B.C. farmer was 56 years old, and about 3,000 farmers stopped farming. They haven’t been replaced: only nine per cent of the province’s farmers are under 35, a demographic trend that concerns the provincial government and food security advocates alike. As farmland prices rise, they limit the pool of potential buyers to corporations and wealthy individuals. Endowed with economies of scale, these landowners maximize their profits by farming industrially—an agricultural model that relies on pesticides, fossil fuels, monoculture, and migrant labour to sell primarily to international markets. In contrast, small farmers like Suda grow several crops on their land in a season, producing more food and money per acre than industrial farms, and with minimal environmental impacts. They also better serve local markets and directly reinvest their profits into the B.C. economy. Close to 70 per cent of the vegetables consumed in B.C. come from large farms in Mexico or California, two regions where agricultural production is anticipated to decline due to climate change and water scarcity.
And COVID-19 has made the issue more pressing: California’s Central Valley — the epicenter of North America’s industrial vegetable production, and a key supplier to B.C. — has been hit hard by the pandemic. With limited safety measures in place, hundreds of workers have been infected, slowing harvests and exposing future weak links in the province’s food supply. It’s a dependence the provincial NDP government pledged to change when it came to power in 2017. Since then, the province has sought to increase the amount of local food consumed by British Columbians, and grow a population of young farmers to supply them, particularly in the expensive and densely populated southern parts of the province, according to Lana Popham, provincial minister of agriculture.


nationalobserver--2020-08-12--Ontario students speak out on Ford's back-to-school plans

William Pham is going into Grade 11 at a Toronto public school in September and has three main problems with the province 's reopening plan as it has been described .
The tech-savvy teen says the Toronto District School Board ( TDSB ) insists on using an online platform , Brightspace , which is inaccessible to screen readers and which teachers and students alike struggle to navigate .
“ I 'm using it currently for summer school online and it 's so complicated for no reason , ” Pham told Canada ’ s National Observer .
The Earl Haig Secondary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ component of the curriculum won ’ t be good enough to boost his studies , which includes Grade 12 French .
“ That 's when universities start to care , and I ’ m scared that I wo n't be prepared for university because online , or half online , wo n't be sufficient , ” he said .
• Environmental groups take Ford government to court over COVID-19 recovery bill • David Suzuki , Catherine McKenna , Tzeporah Berman , Bruce Lourie , Graham Saul , Noam Chomsky on the fork in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried about “ the efficiency and effectiveness ” of half-time classes and whether it would be safe for students to take public transit .
“ I want to go back to school because I want to see my friends and I want to have that social aspect again , but it 's only really two hours of school , so I do n't know how I feel about that , ” he said .
His third worry was about the messaging itself , from both school boards and the education ministry , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said has been vague , faltering and lacking in clarity .
William Pham says one of the online learning platforms the TDSB uses is inaccessible and difficult to use .
Photo supplied Debate about the Ford government 's back-to-school plan has been dominated by parents , teachers , unions and other adults .
Students from Toronto ’ s public and Catholic schools spoke directly to Canada 's National Observer about the effect these decisions have on their lives .
Toronto high school students tell @ 5thEstate about the problems they have with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the worries they have about the return to class They worry about just how little guidance has been given to students facing a final year of high school that can determine the trajectory of their early adult life , in a world emerging from a pandemic .
Monique Kasonga has a heavy focus on the social sciences in her Grade 12 course load at Father John Redmond school in the Toronto Catholic District School Board ( TCDSB ) .
She ’ s also worried that problems with online delivery , which students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affect her grades and her entire academic trajectory ( Kasonga wants to study political science and international relations , then head to law school ) .
“ Our Grade 12 year is obviously one of our most important years , and from doing online schooling from March to June , I definitely saw a huge shift in the quality of my education , ” she said in a phone interview last week .
“ It was just a really confusing time and teachers were just throwing readings and things on to us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was learning , I was mostly just getting work done , ” she said .
Kasonga said that if the Catholic board followed the TDSB ’ s lead and opted for a quadmester , or four semester , delivery model ( they did , in a plan released on Monday ) she would likely work more at her summer job in a clothing store to earn extra money for university expenses and keep a small friendship bubble in addition to her school cohort .
She said she had more than 30 people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , and wouldn ’ t feel comfortable returning to that number , but would ideally like to go back to school full time in a smaller class .
Monique Kasonga stands inside the House of Commons in Ottawa during the Forum for Young Canadians held earlier in 2020 .
Photo supplied The quadmester model being deployed by the TDSB and TCDSB has students take two subjects per quarter of the academic year ( that is , every two months ) , rather than the usual four per half year , or rarer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says the model means final year students are stifled when they most need to be able to carefully plan which courses to take to get the best scores to submit on university and college applications .
“ Kids have to choose courses really quickly , they ca n't change them during the quadmesters , and they have to finish them quickly , ” said Albeheshti , who attends Earl Haig with Pham .
“ And then by the time one ’ s done , they have to immediately move to another , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compare their courses , see which ones they want and which ones they don ’ t want , ” he said .
Parsa Albeheshti says Grade 12 students will struggle to manage all the different ways their final year of his school is divided under the Ford government 's back-to-school plan .
Photo supplied Albeheshti , Kasonga and Pham all said that they had lots of questions about how colleges and universities would assess the merits of the 2020 graduating class .
“ I hope universities provide some sort of accommodation for special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes the mobility away from students , ” Albeheshti said , of the quadmester model .
“ It seems like it 's designed to make it easier for the ministry or for the board to plan the year , which makes sense , but it 's at the expense of making students less agile . ''
Albeheshti said the various ways the school experience was being sliced up would be difficult for many students to grapple with .
“ The simple structure of the school year is finely divided up in several ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the day you 're divided into , and the semesters are divided into quadmesters , ” he said .
“ That 's really hard to adjust to for most people.
” An example of the four-day cycle of cohorts and classes envisioned in the Toronto Catholic District School Board 's reopening plan , released on Aug. 10 , 2020 .
Albeheshti said he saw the irony in the board and ministry arguing over funding for mental health support , when the planning itself had been a source of stress for students .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ health in the coming year , I think about the fact that the plan is just messed up , ” he said .

William Pham is going into Grade 11 at a Toronto public school in September and has three main problems with the province's reopening plan as it has been described. The tech-savvy teen says the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) insists on using an online platform, Brightspace, which is inaccessible to screen readers and which teachers and students alike struggle to navigate. “I'm using it currently for summer school online and it's so complicated for no reason,” Pham told Canada’s National Observer. The Earl Haig Secondary School student personally worries that the online component of the curriculum won’t be good enough to boost his studies, which includes Grade 12 French. “That's when universities start to care, and I’m scared that I won't be prepared for university because online, or half online, won't be sufficient,” he said.
Pham said he was also worried about “the efficiency and effectiveness” of half-time classes and whether it would be safe for students to take public transit. “I want to go back to school because I want to see my friends and I want to have that social aspect again, but it's only really two hours of school, so I don't know how I feel about that,” he said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions His third worry was about the messaging itself, from both school boards and the education ministry, which he and other senior high school students said has been vague, faltering and lacking in clarity.
William Pham says one of the online learning platforms the TDSB uses is inaccessible and difficult to use. Photo supplied 'I didn’t feel I was learning' Debate about the Ford government's back-to-school plan has been dominated by parents, teachers, unions and other adults. Students from Toronto’s public and Catholic schools spoke directly to Canada's National Observer about the effect these decisions have on their lives. Toronto high school students tell @5thEstate about the problems they have with @fordnation and @sflecce's back-to-school plans and the worries they have about the return to class They worry about just how little guidance has been given to students facing a final year of high school that can determine the trajectory of their early adult life, in a world emerging from a pandemic. Monique Kasonga has a heavy focus on the social sciences in her Grade 12 course load at Father John Redmond school in the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB).
She’s also worried that problems with online delivery, which students have wrestled with since March, could affect her grades and her entire academic trajectory (Kasonga wants to study political science and international relations, then head to law school). “Our Grade 12 year is obviously one of our most important years, and from doing online schooling from March to June, I definitely saw a huge shift in the quality of my education,” she said in a phone interview last week. “It was just a really confusing time and teachers were just throwing readings and things on to us, but I didn’t feel I was learning, I was mostly just getting work done,” she said.


nationalobserver--2020-08-12--Canada supporting fossil fuels at 10 times the G20 average during pandemic

If we ’ re going to have economic stimulus , it ought to be green .
That sentiment has achieved surprising levels of agreement around the world , and not just from the usual suspects .
Nobel-winning economists , financial experts and even the highly conservative International Energy Agency ( IEA ) are all pushing governments to use stimulus to decarbonize the economy .
And for good reason : the last time we had a financial meltdown it was followed by a record surge in fossil fuel burning .
Have a look at this first chart .
Despite decades of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , its primary cause — fossil fuel burning — was rising relentlessly .
Then the Great Recession hit in 2008-9 and caused the only drop in global fossil fuel burning in the last 30 years .
At the time there was hope that governments would use their huge , future-shaping stimulus to transition to a climate-safe economy .
To see what actually happened , look at the next chart .
Instead of a climate-safe recovery , fossil fuel burning surged upwards in 2010 by the greatest amount in history .
And every year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests , the gatherings of the United Nations , the boom in renewable energy — despite everything — humanity has continued to burn even more fossil fuels with each passing year than in the year before .
Now , in 2020 , the coronavirus pandemic is raging across the globe .
A report from the IEA projects the resulting global economic contraction will push fossil fuel burning down about eight per cent this year .
That 's the dotted blue line on the chart .
• Environmental groups take Ford government to court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Catherine McKenna , Tzeporah Berman , Bruce Lourie , Graham Saul , Noam Chomsky on the fork in the road And then what ?
According to the IEA , “ a similar rebound in emissions can be expected after this crisis unless there is effort by governments to place clean energy transitions at the heart of the economic recovery.
” It ’ s not just that economic stimulus is an opportunity to accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy .
It ’ s crucial that we don ’ t accelerate deeper into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last recession .
After all , the climate doesn ’ t care how much clean technology we deploy , it only cares how much carbon builds up in the atmosphere from the fossil fuels we burn .
So , the question for every government becomes : how much money are you spending on fossil fuels during the pandemic recovery ?
Fortunately , a new coalition has come together to track the answers from each of the world ’ s largest economies .
We ’ ve taken this data compiled by Energy Policy Tracker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuels by each of the G20 countries since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis .
( Note that to allow fair comparisons across countries , the charts list all values in USD per capita . )
As you can see in this first G20 chart , Canadians are at the top of the fossil support charts .
Canada has committed nearly ten times the G20 average per capita — for a total of $ 12 billion so far this year in new fossil fuel support .
Only France , with its massive bailout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend more per person , at this point .
You can also see that we ’ ve added a little green cap onto the top of the bar representing Canada .
That ’ s the amount of money Canadian governments have committed to clean energy ( again , per capita ) .
We could belabour this point but , really , the prioritization speaks for itself .
Now , it ’ s worth pausing to make a few points here .
Canada has committed nearly ten times the G20 average to fossil fuels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 12 billion since the pandemic First is that this is a running tally of money committed since the pandemic began .
So , the numbers for clean and fossil energy will keep rising as new policies are announced .
The coalition updates the tracker every Wednesday .
Second , Energy Policy Tracker is only tracking money explicitly committed to energy .
More general spending that benefits the energy sector along with others isn ’ t represented here , so the actual support to the energy sector is significantly higher .
And finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ these public money commitments are additional to many other government policies that had existed to support different energy types before the COVID19 pandemic ” ( emphasis added ) .
Now , let ’ s get back to the charts .
You may be wondering about the specifics .
The next chart shows the top 3 categories where countries have been directing fossil energy support : aviation , ground transportation ( which includes support to gasoline and diesel vehicles as well as expanding highways and bridges ) and the fossil fuel industry itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall recipient of new public funds being pumped into fossil fuel burning .
But at this point , Canadian governments have focused most of their public funds on the fossil fuel industry itself .
One thing you may notice is that despite all the news about U.S. President Donald Trump bailing out U.S. coal and the American oil and gas industry , not much money has actually been committed .
Instead , most of Trump ’ s support for fossil industries has come in the form of rollbacks to regulations and environmental safeguards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handwringing about this issue in the U.S. , so the next chart shows the number of additional policies that benefit fossil fuels but where the “ value of public money is unquantified.
” And for Canada , we have included the number for clean energy — just one so far — as a green bar on top .
Clearly much more media scrutiny should be directed to this topic in Canada , especially considering the latest news of major cuts to environmental monitoring of the oilsands .
The Energy Policy Tracker includes policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Canada , the provinces are playing an oversized role , as the next chart shows .
Here we finally find some positive news .
The federal government has put a much higher priority on supporting clean energy than the overall Canadian numbers suggest .
And the overwhelming chunk of its support for fossil energy is directed at cleaning up abandoned oil wells — a subsidy for the oil and gas industry , to be sure , but one where there ’ s at least a public interest argument .
Ontario is pumping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for fossil fuel burning — by purchasing power plants running on fossil gas as well as almost two billion for highways and bridges .
Alberta has committed more than three times the federal numbers with the province ’ s commitments to invest directly in the Keystone XL pipeline and guarantee its loans next year .
What ’ s even more striking is that , to keep things consistent , we ’ ve kept using per capita numbers , per Canadian .
So , the provincial commitments to fossil fuel burning per provincial resident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Alberta 's fossil support works out to $ 1,370 per Albertan .
Way off the charts .
If you ’ d like to see how those two provinces stack up against entire G20 countries ( even using those conservative per Canadian numbers ) , take a look at this chart .
We 've broken down the Canadian bar to show the public money committed to energy by Alberta , Ontario and the feds , as well as where that money is going .
And you can see how it all compares to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alberta and Ontario are burning their way almost to the top of the G20 fossil charts by themselves .
To close out this sobering look at Canadian governments ’ support for fossil energy in a time of pandemic , let ’ s remember that the situation isn ’ t a COVID-19 anomaly .
As the final chart shows , when it comes to the amount of fossil fuels burned every year , Canada is second only to Saudi Arabia in the G20 — in terms of total fossil burn per capita .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent , burning more fossil fuels per person than 99 per cent of humanity .
And unlike our peers in the United States , the European Union and the United Kingdom , we haven ’ t yet begun to reduce our burn rate at all .
Canadian governments will be rolling out more pandemic recovery spending in the months to come .
We will see how much of a priority they place on the clean energy transition .
Green stimulus would certainly be better than more support for fossil fuels .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we start dousing the fire .
Canada does not yet have a plan to meet its commitments under the Paris agreement .
Let alone a plan to achieve the federal government ’ s promise of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 .
So , yes , if we ’ re going to have economic stimulus , it ought to be green .
But let ’ s put out the fire that ’ s already blazing .

If we’re going to have economic stimulus, it ought to be green. That sentiment has achieved surprising levels of agreement around the world, and not just from the usual suspects. Nobel-winning economists, financial experts and even the highly conservative International Energy Agency (IEA) are all pushing governments to use stimulus to decarbonize the economy. And for good reason: the last time we had a financial meltdown it was followed by a record surge in fossil fuel burning.
Have a look at this first chart.
Despite decades of promises to prevent a full-blown climate crisis, its primary cause — fossil fuel burning — was rising relentlessly.
Then the Great Recession hit in 2008-9 and caused the only drop in global fossil fuel burning in the last 30 years.
At the time there was hope that governments would use their huge, future-shaping stimulus to transition to a climate-safe economy.
To see what actually happened, look at the next chart.
Instead of a climate-safe recovery, fossil fuel burning surged upwards in 2010 by the greatest amount in history.
And every year since then, despite all the global protests, the gatherings of the United Nations, the boom in renewable energy — despite everything — humanity has continued to burn even more fossil fuels with each passing year than in the year before.
Now, in 2020, the coronavirus pandemic is raging across the globe.
A report from the IEA projects the resulting global economic contraction will push fossil fuel burning down about eight per cent this year. That's the dotted blue line on the chart. And then what? According to the IEA, “a similar rebound in emissions can be expected after this crisis unless there is effort by governments to place clean energy transitions at the heart of the economic recovery.” Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions It’s not just that economic stimulus is an opportunity to accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy. It’s crucial that we don’t accelerate deeper into danger, like we did after the last recession. After all, the climate doesn’t care how much clean technology we deploy, it only cares how much carbon builds up in the atmosphere from the fossil fuels we burn.
So, the question for every government becomes: how much money are you spending on fossil fuels during the pandemic recovery? Canada has committed nearly ten times the G20 average to fossil fuels per capita — for a total of $12 billion since the pandemic Fortunately, a new coalition has come together to track the answers from each of the world’s largest economies. We’ve taken this data compiled by Energy Policy Tracker and charted new government support for fossil fuels by each of the G20 countries since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. (Note that to allow fair comparisons across countries, the charts list all values in USD per capita.) As you can see in this first G20 chart, Canadians are at the top of the fossil support charts. Canada has committed nearly ten times the G20 average per capita — for a total of $12 billion so far this year in new fossil fuel support. Only France, with its massive bailout of Air France, has managed to spend more per person, at this point.
You can also see that we’ve added a little green cap onto the top of the bar representing Canada. That’s the amount of money Canadian governments have committed to clean energy (again, per capita). We could belabour this point but, really, the prioritization speaks for itself.
Now, it’s worth pausing to make a few points here. First is that this is a running tally of money committed since the pandemic began. So, the numbers for clean and fossil energy will keep rising as new policies are announced. The coalition updates the tracker every Wednesday.
Second, Energy Policy Tracker is only tracking money explicitly committed to energy. More general spending that benefits the energy sector along with others isn’t represented here, so the actual support to the energy sector is significantly higher. And finally, as the coalition points out, “these public money commitments are additional to many other government policies that had existed to support different energy types before the COVID19 pandemic” (emphasis added).


nationalobserver--2020-08-12--Climate youth remind people in power they’re still watching

A handful of climate activists in several Canadian cities demanded green justice on Wednesday , venturing out to the streets for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic and a ballooning push for racial justice moved their environmental campaigns to the side .
The young campaigners from the Fridays for Future movement dropped banners outside the Queen ’ s Park provincial legislature and city hall in Toronto , as well as near Parliament in Ottawa and sites in Montreal and Edmonton , taking advantage of a recent easing of restrictions on public gatherings to mark International Youth Day .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ford government to repeal a section of its pandemic recovery bill that loosens environmental regulations , incorporate the UN declaration on Indigenous rights into provincial law , and cancel plans to burn more natural gas .
The activists inspired by Swedish teen Greta Thunberg lost much of the momentum from their climate action street protests of 2018 and 2019 when COVID-19 limited public gatherings early this year , and have since been reduced to mostly online actions .
“ We really do n't have a direction right now is the problem , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student climate strikes from Montreal who did not take part in Wednesday 's activities , about the climate movement ’ s current status .
• Canada supporting fossil fuels at 10 times the G20 average during pandemic • Environmental groups take Ford government to court over COVID-19 recovery bill • David Suzuki , Catherine McKenna , Tzeporah Berman , Bruce Lourie , Graham Saul , Noam Chomsky on the fork in the road Meanwhile , more direct protest against police brutality and systemic racism has overtaken symbolic climate protests in terms of urgency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to put people ’ s health at risk for a largely symbolic climate action when there is such important activism that is not symbolic , it ’ s really active , ” Mitchell said , acknowledging the broader society and the climate movement itself are focused on the more urgent demands of the Black Lives Matter movement .
“ With the police brutality stuff , we 're also seeing a lot more concrete action coming from that , ” she said .
“ So I think we 're in a space right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat and the people who were really heavily involved in climate activism are volunteering their energy to other causes.
” Toronto ’ s mayor on Tuesday promised sweeping reforms to the city ’ s police force following sustained protests and the release of a report that outlines more than 80 recommendations to address systemic racism .
Today , we celebrate our youth .
We celebrate your voices , your actions , and everything you 're doing to build a better future - because from fighting climate change to demanding justice and equality , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # YouthDay !
https : //t.co/sM9Qvs1iDu pic.twitter.com/Safhlg2t0B — Justin Trudeau ( @ JustinTrudeau ) August 12 , 2020 Climate activism is still there , Mitchell said , but it ’ s more targeted at real-life decisions that hang in the balance .
For example , students in Quebec are pushing their government to next month reject a proposed liquid natural gas pipeline and terminal project .
Climate is taking a back seat and those heavily involved in climate activism are volunteering their energy to other causes including the push for racial justice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re gon na not let it happen , ” Mitchell said of the Gazoduq Project , which she said in one year of operating would counteract all of Quebec 's emission reductions since 1990 .
The climate action movement has not been completely dormant , but most of its activity has moved online , or even into a virtual courtroom .
In the latest legal move , a coalition of environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the Ford government earlier this week alleging the province ’ s lack of public consultation on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ unlawful .
”

A handful of climate activists in several Canadian cities demanded green justice on Wednesday, venturing out to the streets for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic and a ballooning push for racial justice moved their environmental campaigns to the side.
The young campaigners from the Fridays for Future movement dropped banners outside the Queen’s Park provincial legislature and city hall in Toronto, as well as near Parliament in Ottawa and sites in Montreal and Edmonton, taking advantage of a recent easing of restrictions on public gatherings to mark International Youth Day.
In Ontario, the group called on the Ford government to repeal a section of its pandemic recovery bill that loosens environmental regulations, incorporate the UN declaration on Indigenous rights into provincial law, and cancel plans to burn more natural gas.
The activists inspired by Swedish teen Greta Thunberg lost much of the momentum from their climate action street protests of 2018 and 2019 when COVID-19 limited public gatherings early this year, and have since been reduced to mostly online actions.
“We really don't have a direction right now is the problem,” said Payton Mitchell, an organizer of student climate strikes from Montreal who did not take part in Wednesday's activities, about the climate movement’s current status.