Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

Students head back to school as heat warnings blanket Central Canada

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Sep, 2023 10:19 AM
  • Students head back to school as heat warnings blanket Central Canada

While Tuesday marked the first day of school for many students across the country, summer certainly didn't feel like it was over as heat warnings blanketed much of Central Canada.

One school board in Quebec closed all elementary and high schools on Tuesday due to the heat, while other districts in that province and Ontario said they would put measures in place to adapt to the high temperatures. 

Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville, speaking to reporters at a high school inauguration in Gatineau, said Tuesday that the high temperatures -- expected to reach 33 Celsius Tuesday with a humidex of 41 -- were exceptional.

"I trust that teams in the schools will well manage the (heat) situation, I don't have any doubt," he said. 

The province intends to build 150 new schools in the coming years, but they won't be air conditioned.

"In newly built schools, we will install mechanical ventilation systems, which isn't air conditioning but are ventilation systems that will provide for a certain level of comfort," Drainville said.

Farther west, the Toronto District School Board announced Monday evening that it, too, would put its heat plan in place as the mercury was expected to hit 34 degrees, with a humidex of 42.

The board says that of its 583 schools, only 177 are largely air conditioned. Another 243 have cooling centres in large areas such as the gym or library. 

Aside from the heat, parents and teachers say they're expecting a new crop of issues to affect classroom learning this year, including generative AI technology, affordability and climate change. For some students, however, the first day of school experience remains largely unchanged year after year. 

"I want it to still be summer," said nine-year-old Harrison Halliday, who's entering Grade 5 with a healthy dose of apathy. 

Harrison's dad, Bill Halliday, was far more optimistic as he dropped his two sons off at their Toronto school this morning. 

"The days will be spent without childminding and I'll be able to work and not stress about what they're doing and keeping them off screens," Halliday said. "God, that's going to be good. I think it's good that they're active and going to be with their friends again."

Meanwhile, Sid and Mukta Kanasker and their daughter Kashvi said they were excited for her to enter the fourth grade, despite the typical nerves that come with the uncertainty of a new year.

“I think coming back after two months, of course, there is anxiety with which class she will go and how the new teacher would be,” Sid Kanasker said. “But I think the school is great.”

While across much of the country it's set to be a first day of school like any other, those in parts of Canada ravaged by wildfires return to a much different landscape. 

The government of British Columbia has said no schools were damaged by the fires that tore through parts of the province, but that doesn't mean students will be unaffected. 

The flames passed close by some schools in Kelowna, B.C., leaving destruction in their wake. 

For residents of Yellowknife, however, summer break has been extended. 

Typically, students would have returned to their classrooms on Aug. 28, but the city is still under an evacuation order as fires continue their burn, so school will have to wait. 

 

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. RCMP announce corruption, drug trafficking charges against former constable

B.C. RCMP announce corruption, drug trafficking charges against former constable
The B.C. RCMP says a former probationary constable at the force's Surrey detachment has been charged with multiple offences after a months-long corruption investigation. Mounties say the ex-constable, Const. Dawwd (Daoud) Soukary, faces 13 charges related to drug trafficking, breach of trust, theft, cannabis distribution and conspiracy to commit robbery.

B.C. RCMP announce corruption, drug trafficking charges against former constable

U.S. trade envoy presses Canada on digital services tax, home shopping obligations

U.S. trade envoy presses Canada on digital services tax, home shopping obligations
Canada, the United States and Mexico wrapped up a two-day status report on their shared continental trade agreement Friday as the deal that replaced NAFTA passed its three-year anniversary. There are three more years to go before a required review in 2026 that has the potential to scuttle the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but International Trade Minister Mary Ng doesn't sound worried. 

U.S. trade envoy presses Canada on digital services tax, home shopping obligations

B.C. mass-stabbing killer apologizes to victims, cites 'enormous' drug use

B.C. mass-stabbing killer apologizes to victims, cites 'enormous' drug use
Yannick Bandaogo read his statement in French in a quiet, sometimes shaking voice, and said his addiction to crystal meth played a role in altering his mental health and behaviour. Bandaogo, 30, pleaded guilty this year to second-degree murder, several charges of attempted murder and one count of aggravated assault over the attack.

B.C. mass-stabbing killer apologizes to victims, cites 'enormous' drug use

Violent robbery at a nightclub: VPD

Violent robbery at a nightclub: VPD
The heist happened April 9th when two suspects entered the club after hours, threatened staff with a gun and knife, zap-strapped and forcibly confined six people -- and left one victim with a life-altering injury. The suspects then escaped with 25-thousand dollars in cash.

Violent robbery at a nightclub: VPD

Criminal charges likely after police dog bites Indo-Canadian off-duty cop

Criminal charges likely after police dog bites Indo-Canadian off-duty cop
Manjinder Singh Kaila, 55, was bitten by a police dog on May 29, 2021, next to his Surrey home, as the cops pursued a suspect, despite the victim yelling “it wasn’t me". The statement of claim named constables Sarbjeet Singh and Paul Baker, who were working with RCMP dog service at that time.

Criminal charges likely after police dog bites Indo-Canadian off-duty cop

Jobless rate went up in June

Jobless rate went up in June
R-B-C assistant chief economist Nathan Janzen says the reason the unemployment rate can rise alongside historically strong employment growth is that population growth continues to set new records, including an increase of 84-thousand people in June.

Jobless rate went up in June