FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                         July 27, 2023

WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Party Official Opposition is supporting the Hidden Valley Elementary School Council’s request to the Minister of Education to install new playground equipment for the upcoming school year.

In June, the government informed school council the removal of wooden playground equipment would take place. A short time later, the equipment was removed. When pressed by the council to make sure new equipment would be in place by the start of the 2023-2024 school year, the government indicated that would not take place until possibly sometime next year and did not give clear answers about why the removal of the new equipment was necessary.

In a series of letters to the Minister, the school council explained how the lack of playground equipment would impact children. The council also lamented the lack of overall support for the school given the exceptional circumstances of the past few years.

The council supplied two suggestions to resolve the issue: have the department order and install new equipment by the beginning of the new school year or provide up to $75,000 for the council to order the new equipment, and have it installed.

“I have been copied on the school council’s letters to the Minister, and I have also written multiple letters to the Minister in support of the school council’s concern,” said Lake Laberge MLA Brad Cathers. “Parents tell me the wooden playground equipment was well-liked by children, and other than a few tires that could have easily been replaced, they believe it was in good shape. I have asked for a copy of any inspection report by a qualified expert which may exist, but so far, the Minister of Education has failed to provide any report.”

The Yukon Party demands that the Minster of Education immediately take action to order and install replacement playground equipment or give Hidden Valley School Council funding to do it themselves as per their request.

This is another example of the Liberals doing something without consultation, creating an issue with real-world impacts, and having no plan going forward.

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Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Press Secretary
(867) 393-7026