Debates of February 6, 2006 (day 23)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Honourable Charles Dent, Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment. Many parents send their children off to school in the Northwest Territories everyday hoping and praying that if their child has an allergy to certain substances, that that child will not come into contact with that substance in their school day. Right now, it’s difficult to offer those parents any assurances that their child will not be exposed to things that might be life threatening to them. I would like to ask the Minister of Education what his department has done to ensure that these children are protected in the school environment. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 339-15(4): Life-Threatening Allergens In Schools

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the urgency of dealing with this situation, and the Member raised the issue with us last fall. Since that time, the assistant deputy minister has written to all superintendents, urging the superintendents to ensure that they have a clear policy developed to deal with issues around anaphylaxis and to make sure that there is a policy in place at all of our schools. So we don’t have policies in place at this point, but schools have been asked to develop those now. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 339-15(4): Life-Threatening Allergens In Schools

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Quite often when we lack policies or legislation in certain areas, we like to look at what is being done in other jurisdictions, so that we can borrow best practices from already established practices. I would like to ask the Minister if he is aware of what other jurisdictions in Canada do to respond to this growing issue of allergies. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 339-15(4): Life-Threatening Allergens In Schools

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not particularly aware of what all other jurisdictions do. I know the department has looked at what is done in some jurisdictions. I know that included with the letter that was sent out by the assistant deputy minister was a pamphlet that was provided by Health Canada around the issue of anaphylaxis and preparing policies. So we have been doing some research to find out from the federal government and other areas what is being done. We will continue to do that and watch for best practices. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 339-15(4): Life-Threatening Allergens In Schools

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One last question. Would the Minister be prepared to not only put in place a policy that would try to restrict the bringing of things that children are particularly allergic to into the schools, but also some type of a medical emergency response awareness within the school itself, because quite often these situations require immediate attention. It would not hurt for the educators to be aware of such responses. Would he go as far as to commit to doing that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 339-15(4): Life-Threatening Allergens In Schools

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would be happy to say that we would follow up on that recommendation. We already provide schools with some direction for emergency response in a whole range of situations. It is my intention to share that with Members of this Assembly, so you can see how we are doing that currently. We are looking at expanding it to include specific references to anaphylaxis and how to deal with those instances. Thank you.