Nancy Furness (We’ve Got Issues) recently spoke with Omar Chu of Tri-Cities Amnesty International and Sanctuary Health about the urgent need for School District 43 to adopt a ‘Sanctuary School’ policy. Sanctuary Health is a grassroots collective dedicated to advocating for supportive policies that ensure access to services regardless of immigration status.

Omar Chu is at the forefront of the push for a Sanctuary School policy in the Tri-Cities, aiming to ensure that all children, regardless of their immigration status, are welcomed within the school system, in line with the original intent of BC’s ‘School Act.’ This policy would also safeguard students’ private information from being shared with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), should they inquire. The initiative is rooted in the belief that every child has the right to education without fear of deportation or discrimination.

However, the Province of British Columbia has delegated the responsibility to individual School Districts to define who is eligible to attend public school, resulting in inconsistent implementation of the School Act across different districts, as Omar highlighted. This decentralization has led to significant disparities, leaving some children vulnerable to exclusion based on their immigration status.

While New Westminster has successfully implemented and even enhanced its Sanctuary School policy, other districts, such as Victoria and Surrey, have also taken steps to improve access to public education. Omar has confirmed with the Province of BC that no immigration documents are required to register a child for school. Despite this, there are still children in Coquitlam’s School District 43 who are unable to access the public education system due to a lack of staff training and the absence of a clear Sanctuary School policy. This situation underscores the critical need for District 43 to adopt a comprehensive and inclusive approach to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to receive an education in a safe and supportive environment. 

The conversation with Omar Chu brings to light the pressing issue of educational access for all children and the importance of adopting policies that reflect the inclusive spirit of BC’s School Act.