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MEDIA RELEASE

November 9, 2001
For Immediate Release

(OTTAWA) - School boards across Canada applaud the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs for recognizing the importance of safe schools. 

In studying Bill C-7, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Committee decided that designated school officials must be notified in situations where a young offender may pose a safety risk to other students or staff.

"School boards have an obligation to ensure the safety of students and staff. We also have an important role to play in crime prevention, and the rehabilitation of students in our care," said Gary Shaddock, President of the Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA). "We encourage the members of the Senate to adopt the report of the Committee, including this crucial amendment." 

The Senate will be considering the report of the Committee on Tuesday, November 13, 2001.

CSBA has published guidelines to assist school boards in handling information on young offenders. The guide covers everything from designating who will manage the information, and how to work with justice officials, right through to how and when to destroy records.

The Canadian School Boards Association is the national voice of school boards. It is comprised of nine provincial school board associations representing over 400 school boards and serving more than four million elementary and secondary school students. 

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For information:
Elizabeth Hodges, CSBA's Communications & Government Relations Coordinator
(613) 235-3724 ext. 23