Canada: TDSB bans further travel to U.S.
The board which approves dozens of trips to the United States each year serving about 245,000 students, announced Thursday that while previously scheduled and approved will go ahead, no new trips to the U.S. will be booked.
TDSB tweeted, “Read the Director of Education's statement re: school trips to the U.S. http://bit.ly/2nVLaeY”
TDSB chair Robin Pilkey tweeted,"#Tdsb director Malloy: school trips to US already booked will go ahead but new trips requests will not be approved-too much US uncertainty.”
On Friday, board spokesperson Ryan Bird told CBC Radio's Metro Morning that the ban would be in effect until further notice.
Asked if the board is making a political statement by refusing to let students travel to United States, Bird replied "I think this is about the information that we have in front of us. I think it's about the equity and inclusion angle," Bird said. "I'm not naïve to say that it doesn't make a statement, but the decision is not being made as a statement," CBCNews reports said.
According to Bird, 25 previously organized trips with about 900 students will go ahead as planned. But Pilkey said Thursday that if any students with proper documents are stopped at the border, the entire group will turn back.
"We're committed as a school board to equity, inclusiveness and fairness, and it's not appropriate that some students would not be able to attend based on their country of birth," Pilkey said, CBCNews reports said.
Chris Moise, TDSB trustee tweeted, “All #TDSB schools with trips to the US booked have had destinations redirected if possible; 25 trips remain booked, mostly competitions.”
The board's main concern is making sure no students are put in a position where they are turned away at the border even if they have all the necessary documentation.
The proposed travel bans by U.S. President Donald Trump had incited international outrage, and led Girl Guides of Canada cancelling trips to the U.S., citing travel concerns
Bird said the board will revisit its decision if anything changes in U.S. policy.
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
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