Mr. Johnston speaks in support of Bill 206, calls involving local law enforcement authorties “essential bullying… [has] escalated to a level that only these professionals are trained to deal with”

The following is copied from the June 1, 2009, printed transcripts of the Legislative debate and discussion:

 

Mr. Johnston: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  I’m pleased to rise today

in this Assembly to speak in favour of Bill 206, the School (En-

hanced Protection of Students and Teachers) Amendment Act, 2009,

being put forward by the hon. Member for Calgary-Fish Creek.  I

think it’s fair to say that many members of this Assembly would

support a bill that protects the safety of children and staff in schools.

This is exactly what Bill 206 intends to do, and as a former police

officer I feel this bill is long overdue.

 

Bill 206 would require all people on school property to conduct

themselves in a safe and peaceful manner that would not be injurious

to the physical or mental well-being of others nor impact the

school’s safe learning environment.

 

Additionally, Bill 206 would prohibit the possession of drug

paraphernalia as well as any tool or device that is intended to cause

harm to others on school property or during school hours.  Any of

these violations can result in police intervention.  Also, the principal

can call a meeting with the student, parent or guardian, and police to

discuss appropriate consequences and next steps for the student.  Mr.

Speaker, involving local authorities has become essential because

bullying and the possession of harmful devices have escalated to a

level that only these professionals are trained to deal with.

 

The intent of Bill 206 follows one of the government’s top five

priorities, promoting strong and vibrant communities and reducing

crime so that Albertans feel safe.  There is federal and provincial

legislation in place to protect the safety of individuals.  This bill

works to extend that same protection on school grounds.  Bullying

and possession of drug paraphernalia and/or any device that can

potentially cause harm to others pose serious threats to the safety of

students on school grounds and, ultimately, in our communities.

Weapons are a growing concern for schools because many have been

found on students on school property.  Any type of weapon that is on

school grounds compromises the safety of staff and students.

 

Mr. Speaker, early intervention is a vital part of preventing

children from falling into a cycle of bullying.  Bullying, which is

characterized by a repeated pattern of unprovoked aggressive

behaviours carried out to harm or control another person, can be

linked to future criminal behaviour.  It can also be linked to family

violence.  It is clear that the targeted and sometimes innovative

strategies such as those proposed in Bill 206 are needed to ensure

appropriate intervention and protection.

 

It is also important that follow-up support is provided.  This was

reinforced by the Roundtable on Family Violence and Bullying.  The

round-table was announced in October 2003 to gather stakeholders

and communities together to recommend solutions to the problem of

family violence.  The expert panel emphasized the importance of

early childhood development and school-aged strategy as society’s

best chance to create positive change.

 

In addition, Alberta’s Crime Reduction and Safe Communities

Task Force was established in March 2007 to gather input and ideas

from Albertans on ways to reduce crime, enhance community safety,

and improve public confidence in the criminal justice system.  The

executive summary of the keeping communities safe report says that

not enough is being done to prevent crime.  They identified that

starting young and addressing the factors that put children and youth

at risk is a proven strategy and one that will have the best results in

the longer term.  Mr. Speaker, Bill 206 provides the necessary

support recommended by the Alberta round-table and the Alberta

Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force.

 

Stats Canada did a nation-wide study that was conducted in

voluntarily participating schools in the 2007-2008 school year,

surveying over 30,000 students.  Of those who participated in the

study, 23 per cent of secondary school students and over 36 per cent

of elementary school students reported having been bullied at least

once in the previous month.  Further research shows that bullying of

overweight children gets more frequent and more violent as they

move into their teen years.  This can scar a child’s self-esteem and

severely hamper, even ruin, their quality of life.

 

Mr. Speaker, bullying is not the same today as it was a generation

ago.  Now bullying can be fatal.  It can get to the point where a child

who is being bullied no longer wants to attend school.  It is a child’s

right to obtain an education, and it is our role to make sure that

children are safe while they are on school property, including school

buses.  Mr. Speaker, we need to make sure Alberta’s schools remain

welcoming to students so that they are excited to come to school.

We want children to be inspired to learn, but this could be difficult

if they’re feeling isolated and insecure as a consequence of bullying.

 

Most of us here are mothers or fathers and care deeply about our

children and our communities.  We will go to any length to make

sure they remain safe.  That is why I support Bill 206.  I want to do

everything I can to make sure my grandchildren’s safety is not

compromised.  I fully acknowledge, Mr. Speaker, that this govern-

ment has an aggressive plan to make sure Alberta’s communities are

safe, but there is still more work to be done to make sure our schools

are safe.  I feel as though Bill 206 fits into that plan.  Bill 206 will

allow the government to maintain control of this issue by giving the

schools and police the tools they need to prevent or intervene when

bullying becomes a problem and, perhaps more importantly, before

it becomes extreme.

 

Mr. Speaker, bullying behaviour is unacceptable at any time and

is not a normal part of growing up.  Bill 206 is an opportunity to

teach children right from wrong when they are young so that they do

not continually repeat destructive behaviour throughout their lives.

I support Bill 206 because I put children’s safety and security first,

and I am sure the children of our province would support this

legislation.

 

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (1437 – 1438)