National

B.C. brings in 'bell to bell' school phone ban, as new access rules target protesters

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Aug, 2024 12:46 PM

Cellphone use will be restricted in all British Columbia school districts when pupils return next week, as the province becomes the latest to curtail the use of the devices in classrooms.

Premier David Eby says all school districts now have policies in place to ban cellphone use "bell to bell," in line with a government directive announced in April.

The province is also imposing "access zones" around schools allowing police to arrest or issue tickets to anyone found impeding access, disrupting educational activities, or attempting to intimidate an individual within 20 metres of school property.

My team and I are focused on making sure that all students are set up for success in a safe environment where they are supported.

By restricting cell phone use in the classroom, we are one step closer. pic.twitter.com/MQ3zPePqcY
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) August 27, 2024

The zones will be in effect on school days from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., and during extracurricular school activities at all public and independent schools.

Eby says the government wants students to reach their full potential by restricting cellphones in classrooms and keeping harassing protesters away from school grounds.

Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia all either have, or are in the process of creating, rules that restrict the use of cellphones by students.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. energy minister's dropped memo ends up in hands of Opposition BC United

Energy Minister Josie Osborne admitted she is the author of the memo which the BC United party says shows the New Democrat government "panicking" about growing opposition to the provincial carbon tax. Osborne says the memo is a copy of notes she made Wednesday about possible ideas for the government's February budget following discussions she had with an adviser who she refuses to name.

B.C. energy minister's dropped memo ends up in hands of Opposition BC United

B.C. Director of Civil Forfeiture claims 10 properties owned by alleged drug dealer

The B.C. government wants 10 properties in Prince George forfeited for their alleged use in a years-long drug trafficking operation. The province's Director of Civil Forfeiture claims in a lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court that properties owned by Daniel Prediger should be handed over to the government because of their use in "unlawful activity."

B.C. Director of Civil Forfeiture claims 10 properties owned by alleged drug dealer

Surrey business targeted in shooting

Mounties in Surrey say a store was hit by gunfire on Thursday, the second time this week within the same business complex on 81st Ave and 128 Street. Police say officers found evidence of a shooting, but no one was injured and the business was closed at that time.

Surrey business targeted in shooting

Mayor says release of child sex offender Brian Abrosimo in Surrey is 'outrageous'

Surrey’s mayor says it’s "outrageous" that a sex offender who abducted and assaulted an 11-year-old girl in 2004 has been released in the city, which she says has more children per capita than anywhere in British Columbia. Surrey RCMP issued a public warning about Brian Abrosimo, 61, who they say is at high risk to reoffend after his release from prison on Thursday.

Mayor says release of child sex offender Brian Abrosimo in Surrey is 'outrageous'

Here's what the federal government's tight fiscal outlook could mean for pharmacare

Liberals and New Democrats appear to be inching closer to an agreement on proposed pharmacare legislation, but a national drug plan may be farther out of reach than ever after this week's federal fiscal update. The Liberals promised to table and pass the legislation by the end of the year as part of a supply-and-confidence deal, in which the NDP is supporting the minority government on key votes in exchange for progress on shared priorities.

Here's what the federal government's tight fiscal outlook could mean for pharmacare

Metro Vancouver mayors say they need billions of dollars from feds to grow transit

Metro Vancouver mayors say they need billions of dollars over the next few years and a more reliable funding model from the federal government in order to improve transit. Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West, chair of the Mayors’ Council, says they have agreed on a plan to expand transit services to accommodate for population growth and put affordable housing within reach of transit.