TDSB stops short of requiring masks after Ottawa's largest school board votes to reinstate mandate
CBC
The Toronto District School Board stopped short of requiring masks for staff and students on Wednesday after Ottawa's largest school board voted to reinstate the mandate.
The school board, Canada's largest, says it it is "asking that all staff and students please wear a well-fitting mask when indoors in schools to limit the spread of COVID-19," citing a "high number of absences."
It added that it takes its direction from the province, which removed its mask mandate for most indoor spaces on March 22.
"To be clear, this remains a personal decision," the board said in a news release.
The news comes as the province confirmed a sixth wave of COVID-19 is underway and as medical officers at all levels of government have said masking is recommended.
While TDSB maintains masking is a choice, Hamilton and Halton school boards are considering bringing back the mask mandates.
Masks are still required for four days after a five-day self-isolation period following a COVID-19 diagnosis. They are also required if a person has been identified as a close contact of someone with the virus, and for 14 days after returning from travel outside of Canada.
Parents and guardians are still required to complete daily screenings before children can enter a TDSB building.
The school board says it provides masks for staff and students upon request, has HEPA filters installed in schools, and continues to distribute rapid antigen tests.
WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.
The weather has certainly been gloomy, damp and windy over the past 10 days in Nova Scotia and it's going to continue this weekend.
Premier Susan Holt says the federal tax holiday on some goods announced Thursday could cost New Brunswick $62 million in revenue.
Thousands in Quebec's Montérégie region will not get their flu and COVID-19 vaccine directly at their seniors' residence anymore.
A 17-year-old boy is dead after he was shot by an RCMP officer in Norway House Cree Nation on Friday.
Saskatchewan road crews and residents alike are getting ready for another icy blast of winter this weekend.
Student leaders at the University of Alberta are criticizing the school's plan to hike tuition — particularly for international students.
Environment Canada says a new fall storm will bring winds gusting up to 110 km/h to southwestern British Columbia on Friday, potentially causing more outages and travel disruption.
Environment Canada says strong winds could cause damage to roofs and windows in P.E.I.'s Kings County and Prince County this weekend, with power outages possible from fallen tree branches.
City council has approved a 3.6 per cent increase in municipal property taxes for next year. The decision follows five days of debate on adjustments to next year's civic budget.
Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish has resigned from the Peel Police Service Board.