Bullying is an increasingly serious issue in schools, especially now that technology is changing the landscape. As such, Saskatchewan Legislative Secretary Jennifer Campeau was in the city to conduct public consultations on anti-bullying strategies and initiatives.
The day had two components. The first was about recognizing bullying, and sharing stories of examples people have seen. The second involved identifying strategies that have not worked in the past.
"Basically what these consultations are is that we're doing an assessment across Saskatchewan of what bullying is, the levels of bullying in different areas, and figuring out to what extent Saskatchewan is dealing with bullying. We hear high profile stories that have originated from different provinces, but we need to know what's going on in Saskatchewan, especially at the grass roots level," Campeau says.
There will be 60 different consultations, with stakeholders, police, educators and community based organizations, as well as public consultations. Campeau says there is a four-pronged approach to the issue. This also includes an inter-jurisdictional review, to see what other provinces are doing, updating the website with relevant information and finally compiling a list of recommendations for the Minister of Education.
The ultimate goal is to create what Campeau describes as a "Saskatchewan Action Plan," which would include resources for parents who have a child who is being bullied.
The impetus for the consultation is the changing ways that bullying occurs.
"It's evolving into something we don't recognize. We talk about when I was a kid, bullying was very different, it was on the schoolyard, and we've heard stories as well in other consultations about it being very tangible...
"Now, the fact that it's evolved into something else, and it's affecting kids in such a way that we've had suicides because kids have been bullied. So we have to have programs in place to protect children."
Campeau says that they hope to unveil the action plan this fall, after all of the consultations are complete.
If people were unable to attend the event, Campeau says that people can still participate in the discussion by taking part in online consultations at education. gov.sk.ca or email submissions at [email protected] until October 31.
