Home World News Canada news Halifax School Bus Incident Sparks Outrage and Calls for Accountability
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Halifax School Bus Incident Sparks Outrage and Calls for Accountability

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In a troubling incident that has left parents in Halifax reeling, a school bus carrying children from École Mer et Monde was reported missing for over four and a half hours on September 9, 2024. The incident has ignited a wave of anger and concern among parents, prompting officials to scramble for solutions and reassurance in the wake of the distressing event.

The Conseil scolaire Academy Provincial (CSAP), responsible for the French school board, found itself in a difficult position as parents expressed their frustration over the lack of communication and clarity surrounding the delay. In an email sent shortly after the incident, CSAP’s executive director, Michel Collette, suggested organizing a meet-and-greet event where affected students could receive treat bags from Transco, the bus company, while parents could voice their concerns. However, despite calls from board members like Marc Pinet to hold such meetings, no public gathering ever took place.

Pinet emphasized the need for transparency, suggesting that meetings should be held at nearly all French-language schools, citing widespread busing problems across the region. The email correspondence, which was part of a 261-page access-to-information package obtained by CBC News, reveals the depth of parents’ anxiety as they recounted their fears of not knowing where their children were during the long wait.

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The situation escalated as parents reported the horror of not knowing the whereabouts of their children for several hours. One parent, whose children typically arrive home around 3:05 p.m., was first informed that the bus would be 25 minutes late, only to later learn the delay had stretched to over an hour. As the hours passed, some parents resorted to calling the police out of sheer desperation.

According to Transco, the bus service provider, the regular driver for route C107 was unavailable, necessitating a replacement driver. Unfortunately, this substitute was not familiar with the route, which further compounded the delays. Adding to the chaos was heavy traffic, which meant that another driver had to be brought in to finally get the students home. By 7:44 p.m., all children were reported to have returned home safely, but the damage had already been done.

At the time of the incident, CSAP did not have a real-time bus tracking system in place, unlike the Halifax Regional Centre for Education, which operates under different regulations. The absence of this crucial feature meant that parents were left in the dark about their children’s whereabouts. However, Collette indicated in a recent email that a tracking system is expected to be operational by February 2025.

Despite the gravity of the situation, CSAP has refused to release a detailed map of the route taken by the bus, citing privacy concerns. This decision has prompted CBC to file an appeal for the information, as parents continue to seek answers. The first email from a CSAP official regarding the missing bus was sent at 7:38 p.m., just minutes before all students were finally home.

In the aftermath of the incident, CSAP issued letters of apology to parents, acknowledging the lack of communication from Transco during the crisis. The board promised to review emergency communication protocols and to ensure that Transco would reach out directly to families affected by the incident. Transco’s letter also attributed the delay to “multiple unforeseen events” and outlined plans to hire additional drivers and administrative staff to improve communication in the future. However, many parents were left unsatisfied with the vague explanations and lack of accountability.

Board members, including Kathleen Howlett and Marc Pinet, voiced their dissatisfaction with the responses from Transco, calling for more detailed accounts of the incident and urging the board to take a more proactive stance in addressing the concerns raised by parents. The incident has attracted significant media attention, further amplifying the urgency for accountability.

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The emotional toll on families has been profound. One parent described the distress of reporting their children missing to the police, detailing the heart-wrenching experience of providing descriptions of their kids. Another parent expressed the trauma their children faced during the ordeal, stating that they were “hungry, thirsty, and traumatized” and needed counseling.

In light of the chaos, many parents are reconsidering their transportation options, with some opting to carpool or drive their children to school, despite the impact on their work schedules. One parent even reached out to the education minister, questioning the safety of the bus service and demanding assurances that their children would not be lost again.

As Halifax grapples with the fallout from this alarming incident, the need for improved communication and accountability in school transportation has never been more apparent. Parents are left hoping that the lessons learned from this experience will lead to meaningful changes that ensure the safety and well-being of their children in the future.

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