Schools in Montreal, nearby regions still might not have bus service despite deal
CBC
Despite news that a deal was reached between Quebec and school bus companies, students in Montreal, the Laurentians and the Montérégie still might not have a school bus to get to class.
On Friday, the Education Ministry announced that it had reached a deal with the federation representing school bus companies. The government said the agreement in principle will ensure safe and reliable transportation for all students for the start of the school year.
However, several companies are refusing to sign contracts with the school centres in their areas.
The largest school service centre in Quebec, the Centre de services scolaires de Montréal (CSSDM), sent an internal memo to principals Monday evening, saying parents should prepare a "plan B" for getting their kids to class.
Radio-Canada obtained a copy of the memo, which said there is a "good chance that no transport will be available at the start of the school year."
About 6,700 kids on the island of Montreal rely on school bus services.
The Quebec government was "clumsy and dishonest" by announcing that the issue was resolved, said one of the unions representing the drivers.
"The issue was not settled in Montreal, nor on the South Shore, nor on the North Shore," said Josée Dubé, the president of the school transport sector of the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN).
Radio-Canada reached out to the Education Ministry, the Bus Carriers Federation and the CSSDM for comment, but did not receive a response.
However, the CSSDM, in a post published on their website Monday night, assured parents that it was working "tirelessly to reach a settlement."
"Targeted measures may be put in place by schools to lessen the impact of this exceptional situation," it said.
The agreement between the Quebec government and the bus federation is non-binding for members who did not participate in the vote.
Approximately 60 per cent of bus transportation contracts in the province had expired on June 30.
A surgeon who used to work at Flin Flon's hospital says residents in the northwestern Manitoba city have been left in a precarious situation after more than five years without general surgery services.
Moubarak Bokhit Ali's memories of his home country of Sudan are punctuated by flashes of violence.
The man behind the Moose Jaw health centre that has claimed “a 100 per cent success rate in stopping the progression and in restoring function of people with ALS” says a recent CBC story about his company is evidence that he is seen as “a direct threat to the ALS drug industry.”
The Neighbour to Neighbour Centre’s trans and non-binary grocery program, which offers free food and household products to community members once a month, began with a simple question: how do we get free menstrual products to trans people without being awkward?
Bill Van Vugt is living a life that's unlike most other people his age, and one which has seen him turn a longtime hobby into championship gold.
The provincial government is taking steps toward improving Alberta's lucrative sand and gravel industry.
As medical labs across Ontario remain understaffed, one medical association is calling on the province to expand labs’ capacity for student placements by funding positions to train them.
The year wrapping up means it's getting closer to tax season, and the federal Community Volunteer Income Tax Program will once again be offering free filing services for Islanders with modest incomes.
It's not so easy to remove a politician from office between elections in Canada.
Natasha Martin-Mitchell says creating art gives her a sense of calmness that acts as a medicine during stressful times.
Gabriel Vilardi scored twice and star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 24 saves in his first game back from injury to power the Jets to a 5-1 victory over the Washington Capitals on Saturday that snapped Winnipeg's three-game losing skid.
Alberta’s auditor general Doug Wylie says his office's budget will be $1.5 million short next fiscal year.
British Columbia has filed a civil claim against e-cigarette giant Juul Labs, alleging the company developed highly addictive nicotine products and fuelled youth nicotine addiction with “deceptive marketing practices.”