10.02°C Vancouver

Aug 19, 2020 11:27 PM -

B.C. teachers' union calls for smaller classes, masks in back-to-school plan

Share On
b-c-teachers-union-calls-for-smaller-classes-masks-in-back-to-school-plan
President of the BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF) Teri Mooring is interviewed during a protest at the Victoria Convention Centre in Victoria, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. The B.C. Teachers' Federation wants the province to reduce class sizes and make the use of masks mandatory wherever physical distancing isn't possible as part of its back-to-school plan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

The BC Teachers' Federation says it wants smaller classes and mandatory masks whereever possible as part of the provincial back-to-school plan amid the pandemic.

A statement from president Teri Mooring says the restart plan for Kindergarten to Grade 12 has made no change to classroom density and it's impossible to physical distance with 30 people in a classroom.

The union also wants dedicated funding for heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment and expanding mandatory mask use for children aged 10 and older.

The provincial government has said masks will be required whenever students and teachers are outside their learning group when school resumes September 10th.

Latest news

WorldMar 16, 2026

Lebanon says Israeli attacks have killed nearly 900 people since March 2

Lebanon’s Health Ministry says the death toll from Israeli air and ground attacks since March 2 has risen to nearly 900 as tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, at least 886 people have been killed and 2,141 others injured during Israeli strikes across parts of Lebanon over the past two weeks. The ministry said the attacks have also affected the country’s health-care system. Medical teams responding to emergencies were among those hit during the strikes. At least 38 health workers have been killed and another 69 injured w
ihit-takes-over-surrey-homicide-investigation-after-fatal-laurel-drive-shooting
CanadaMar 16, 2026

IHIT takes over Surrey homicide investigation after fatal Laurel Drive shooting

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken over a homicide investigation following a fatal shooting early Saturday at a residence in Surrey. According to an IHIT news release, officers with the Surrey Police Service responded at about 1:40 a.m. to reports of shots fired inside a home in the 13900 block of Laurel Drive. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Police said officers immediately provided first aid until paramedics with BC Emergency Health Services arrived. The man was later pronounced dead at the scene. A man was arrested at the residence an
ottawa-commits-200m-toward-canadian-satellite-launch-pad-in-nova-scotia
CanadaMar 16, 2026

Ottawa commits $200M toward Canadian satellite launch pad in Nova Scotia

The federal government says it will invest $200 million over the next decade to secure access to a Canadian-owned satellite launch pad in Nova Scotia, part of a broader effort to build domestic space and defence capabilities. Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the initiative Monday at a laboratory operated by the Canadian Space Agency in Ottawa. The funding will be used to lease a launch pad near Canso that Ottawa says will form the foundation for a future Canadian spaceport. Canada currently relies on other countries, primarily the United States, to send satellites into orbit because i
environment-canada-warns-of-heavy-rain-wind-and-snow-across-parts-of-b-c-as-atmospheric-river-approaches
BCMar 16, 2026

Environment Canada warns of heavy rain, wind and snow across parts of B.C. as atmospheric river approaches

Environment Canada says parts of British Columbia are expected to see heavy rain, strong winds and periods of snow this week as an atmospheric river approaches the coast. The federal forecaster says Metro Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast and Howe Sound could receive up to 150 millimetres of rain by Wednesday, with prolonged heavy rainfall forecast to begin early this week. According to Environment Canada weather warnings, some areas could also see rain mixed with snow, raising concerns about rising river levels and localized flooding. Environment Canada has issued yellow weather warnings indicati
81-year-old-man-charged-with-second-degree-murder-after-fatal-shooting-at-port-alberni-trailer-park
BCMar 16, 2026

81-year-old man charged with second-degree murder after fatal shooting at Port Alberni trailer park

An 81-year-old man from Port Alberni has been charged with second-degree murder after a fatal shooting at a trailer park on Vancouver Island Friday night. According to a statement from the B.C. RCMP, Port Alberni RCMP officers were called to a report of a shooting at about 9 p.m. Officers who arrived at the scene found three men, including one who had suffered a gunshot wound. Police say the injured man died at the scene. His identity has not been released. The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit has taken conduct of the investigation and is working with Port Alberni RCMP. In a statem

Related News