OCDSB votes against continuing mandatory masks in schools

Ottawa-Carleton District School Board trustees have voted down a motion to keep masks mandatory in schools after provincial rules expires.

The debate Monday night ended with six votes for and six against, not enough to keep mask use mandatory after March Break. It came with mask use set to lift in Ontario on March 21, when students return from March Break.

Some have expressed concern that the province is lifting its mask mandate a bit too soon, but the province has said school boards must follow the policy.

"I think it's foolish for us to remove a mask mandate that has been effective," said trustee Lyra Evans, who voted to extend mask use in classrooms until April 8.

Trustee Donna Blackburn, who voted against extending the mandate, said the board should trust its students' families.

"There is no way to enforce it if children don't come to school with a mask," Blackburn said. "We are here to educate. I'm not saying a mask isn't useful, but I believe we should have faith in our students and staff to make their own decisions."

The board also passed a motion to rescind vaccine mandates for staff and visitors. Details on how this will roll out are expected in the coming days.

PARENTS AND STUDENTS SPLIT

Ottawa student Dasha Samperio is having a little fun in the sun, swinging on the playground at Lansdowne Park. The nine-year-old says there are more bright days ahead.

“I feel like I’m going to feel free when I go to school without the mask,” says Dasha. “I’m excited and really happy because I don’t like the masks and when you’re running you’re sweating and you have the masks on it’s not really comfortable.”

Dasha’s mother, Elena, says the focus moving forward needs to be on students' mental health. “There are too many times when Dasha comes home to talk to me and says, 'Mama, I’m tired of this.' It’s enough; it’s a good time to just take it off.”

But for parent Dan Bornais, it’s still too soon. He has two daughters, in grades three and four, and they both say they don't mind the mask.

“My daughter is immunocompromised and their grandmother is as well,” says Bornais. “They’re going to keep wearing their mask until there is better evidence to support the removal of the masks.”

There is significant pushback against the province for ending the mask mandate in schools. The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, which represents approximately 83,000 educators, released a statement saying the government must prioritize the safety of students, teachers, and education workers.

"Once again, the government appears to be prioritizing political interests over safety in schools. The Ontario Science Table and Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald Cohn have said that the March 21 removal of the mask mandate comes too soon; yet, the government expects school boards to implement this decision to prematurely remove masks in schools next week. Doug Ford should be motivated by care and concern for students rather than his re-election strategy, and work in cooperation with school boards to ensure safety and stability for all," the statement says.

Justine Bell, a trustee with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, argued prior to Monday's meeting for mask use in schools to conitnue for an additional two weeks following March Break, as an added layer of precaution.

“We’re not there yet. That’s what the experts, CHEO hospital, are telling us, so we need to take a cautious approach,” Bell told CTV News Monday afternoon. “We want healthy students who are learning and thriving in the school system and to keep schools open is the goal. We want to protect the most vulnerable, including those who are immunocompromised, and we know that the most effective measure to do that is masking.”

- with files from Jackie Perez, CTV News Ottawa