Calgary councillor goes after education minister over COVID-19, back to school

CALGARY – A Calgary city councillor is calling out the UCP government, alleging it has inadequately handled the beginning of the school year amid COVID-19 concerns.

Education Minister Adriana LaGrange posted a video of herself and Premier Jason Kenney to Twitter, welcoming kids back to in-person classes on the first day of school.

In the post, LaGrange thanks parents and educational staff for maintaining a safe learning environment for kids as the pandemic rages on.

But Ward 7’s Druh Farrell is painting a far less rosy picture. She says her inbox is filled with emails from Calgarians concerned about sending their kids to school when COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are growing in the province.

"Please protect us!!"
"Please don't follow the behaviours of a provincial government that only has one agenda & it's not public safety."
"We, the citizens of Calgary need your help."
"We'll be left unprotected as cases skyrocket."
"We need your leadership left by the absentee…"

— Druh Farrell (@DruhFarrell) September 1, 2021

Farrell replied to LaGrange’s tweet, asking the minister what she is doing to ensure a safe return to school–something that was left out of her “welcome back” video.

“This is your responsibility, not mine,” Farrell tweeted.

She followed up with a list of quotes, referencing comments she has received from constituents.

Many of the comments Farrell listed have general sentiments of feeling abandoned by the government and that the UCP has abdicated responsibility.