School division in Winnipeg ending program that brings police officers into school
The Louis Riel School Division (LRSD) is ending the program that brings police officers to work in its schools.
On Wednesday, the LRSD said the board made the decision to discontinue the School Resource Officer (SRO) program at a meeting on Tuesday.
"The decision was informed by the voices of students, staff, families," LRSD superintendent Christian Michalik told CTV News.
He said even though the program is ending, the division acknowledges its ongoing relationship with Winnipeg police.
One officer has worked across the division's 40 schools since 2016. The board said people in the school community raised concerns about inequity and racism not only in the program but in the education system as a whole.
The board voted to use the money spent on the SRO program on a diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism initiative.
"This year, we're really going to try to tackle the issues of systemic racism in a big way, a proactive way," Michalik said. "So we intend to develop and implement an overarching policy."
The school division noted that its decision to end the SRO program was informed by students, staff and families, with the feedback focusing on people’s lived experiences.
Michalik said the feedback, specifically from those who are Black, Indigenous, and people of colour, highlighted issues of “ongoing inequity and systemic racism” in the school division.
“Despite genuine investments, efforts and commitments, we still have a lot of work to do to ensure all students thrive and flourish in our schools,” he said in a news release.
“That must be our focus moving forward.”
The division said it has been in contact with Equity Matters, which is a coalition of Indigenous and racialized/newcomer organizations, as well as groups that work with oppressed communities. Based on these conversations, the LRSD’s annual operating goals include creating a comprehensive strategy to address issues of systemic racism, and establish a diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism education office.
“Listening to the voices of our community in an equity-informed matter compels us to act with urgency to hasten work on our Multi-Year Strategic Plan priorities for 2019-2023 that address issues of systemic racism in a proactive, capacity building, and systematic way,” Michalik said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Canada lists Ansarallah, known as the Houthis, a terrorist entity
The Canadian government has listed Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, as a terrorist entity.
Wind chills of -50, snowfall of up to 50 cm: Canada's weather forecast
As the second day of December unfolds, Canadians from coast to coast are experiencing a range of wintry conditions. Here's what's happening in different parts of the country.
Kingston, Ont. doctor ordered to repay $660K for pandemic vaccination payments
An Ontario health tribunal has ordered a Kingston, Ont. doctor to repay over $600,000 to the Ontario government for improperly billing thousands of COVID-19 vaccinations at the height of the pandemic.
'Ally to the North': Ontario launches U.S. ad campaign amid Trump's tariff threat
Ontario is launching a U.S. ad campaign, touting the province as an 'ally to the North' ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term and under the threat of tariffs on all Canadian goods.
Multiple elements contributed to fatal Chinook helicopter crash in Ottawa River, investigation concludes
The investigation into a Chinook helicopter crash near Petawawa, Ont. that killed two military pilots concludes an 'unperceived acceleration' and environmental conditions were "significant contributors" to the crash in the Ottawa River.
Kremlin says Trump threat to BRICS nations over U.S. dollar will backfire
The Kremlin said on Monday that any U.S. attempt to compel countries to use the dollar would backfire after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on BRICS countries if they created their own currency.
Crews work to reopen highway north of Toronto after major snowstorm hits cottage country
Crews are still working to reopen Highway 11 north of Toronto after parts of Ontario’s cottage country were hit with upwards of 140 centimetres of snowfall over the weekend.
Elton John says he has lost his eyesight and struggles to see his new stage musical
Elton John says he struggled to watch his new musical because he has lost his eyesight after contracting an infection.
U.S. Postal Service suspends accepting mail bound for Canada due to strike
The U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended accepting mail headed to Canada due to the strike by Canada Post workers.