HALIFAX, NS – While public education and consultation are important aspects of the fight against bullying and cyberbullying, Progressive Conservative Education critic Eddie Orrell says the NDP should move on the advice given by its own task force and start taking substantive action now.
 
“All we’re seeing is baby steps and delays from the NDP instead of meaningful work that tackles this problem head on,” said Orrell.
 
Today, the NDP announced a contest to engage kids in a cyberbullying awareness campaign. Orrell says this may help engage young people but it doesn’t tackle the deeper problems and impacts that bullying and cyberbullying have on kids.
 
“The PC Caucus introduced three bills during the last sitting of the Legislature that would make real, substantial progress to stop bullying and cyberbullying in our schools,” said Orrell. “And Nova Scotians know what’s needed to make that progress are comprehensive laws, including making cyberbullying an offence, with penalties and ways for the authorities to step in.”
 
Orrell says he wrote to Education Minister Ramona Jennex and Liberal Education critic Karen Casey hoping they would agree to a meeting where all three parties could cooperate to get the best possible legislation to protect kids, with no success.
 
“Our party is willing to work collaboratively with the government on developing laws that keep kids safe,” said Orrell. “We could have had new laws in place for this summer and for the 2012/2013 school year but because of the constant delays, kids will be bullied while they wait and I think that’s unacceptable.”