The state of New Westminster’s crumbling high school was thrust into the spotlight once again this week – this time in Victoria.
In the legislature Tuesday, New Westminster MLA Judy Darcy presented the results of a petition calling on the provincial government to immediately approve funding for the replacement of New Westminster Secondary School. The petition, which had been circulation throughout the community since early April, garnered between 850 and 900 signatures, according to Darcy.
“I think everybody is eagerly awaiting the announcement. I can’t go anywhere on the streets in New Westminster without people asking me (about it),” she told the Record. “I feel confident that the school district has done its job incredibly well in dealing with anticipating every potential issue and problem.”
Despite public pressure from Darcy and the residents who signed the petition, it’s still unclear when the high school will be approved. Education Minister Mike Bernier has said repeatedly the replacement project is his ministry’s number 1 priority and according to the ministry that is still the case. In an email to the Record, the ministry said the proposal was still awaiting final approval.
“I speak to the education minister literally every day, including today after I presented the petition, so I’m hopeful, and I think it’s really important that parents’ voices were heard,” Darcy said on Tuesday.
