FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2025
Statement from Karla Bernard: Meeting with Commissioner Jenkins on student safety and lack of political will to implement protections for Island students
Charlottetown, PE – Today I met with Commissioner David H. Jenkins as part of his review of student safety in our Island schools. It was an important and sobering conversation focused on the urgent need for action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students.
While I remain hopeful that this review will lead to meaningful change, I cannot hide my deep disappointment in the lack of urgency shown by this government, the Minister of Education, and the Director of the Public Schools Branch to date.
Last May, I brought forward amendments that were passed in the Legislative Assembly requiring the Public Schools Branch to implement a clear sexual misconduct policy, including accessible reporting mechanisms and mandatory public consultation. The Minister and the Director both voiced strong support for these changes.
During debate on my amendments, Minister of Education Robin Croucher stated, “I think you’re going to see some pretty significant steps taken here in the short term to strengthen our system, and this is one of them. So, I’m certainly happy to support this bill.”
It appears that empty words were spoken that day because here we are, the new school year has begun, there has been no public consultation, no policy put in place, and no “significant steps” have been taken other than my amendments to the legislation.
After everything we’ve learned from the Craswell case, this inaction is unacceptable. Students, parents, and staff deserve better. They deserve to know that their government is doing everything in its power to keep our students safe and to ensure that if harm does occur, it is swiftly reported, investigated, and addressed.
The Craswell case is perhaps the most disturbing failure of this government and the Public Schools Branch leadership. A situation that shook teachers, parents and every Islander to their core. If this horrific breach of student safety isn’t enough to compel this government to act, then what will be? If they can’t respond with urgency to something this serious, how can Islanders ever trust them to prioritize education at all?
Karla Bernard
Third Party Critic for Education
-30-
For media inquiries, please contact:
Katie Rankin
Chief of Staff
Office of the Third Party
Tel: (902) 213-6378
Email: kerankin@assembly.pe.ca