Monday March 9, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC [10:55 am PT | Updated 1:22 pm & 9:37 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Last week Independent MLA Jordan Kealey today introduced a bill in the BC Legislature that proposes stronger security and protection of schools. That Bill will be addressed on second reading in the BC Legislature today March 9.
Kealy’s private members bill School Amendment Act, 2026 comes in the wake of the mass shooting tragedy at Tumbler Ridge Secondary in northeast rural BC.
In his brief introduction of the bill, MLA Kealey (Peace River North) pointed out how relatively open most schools are in BC — that people’s homes are often better protected than schools where children spend most of their day.
Instead, the BC NDP today announced an upgrade to proximity access to schools and places of worship.
Safety plans in BC schools:
Education and Child Care Minister Lisa Beare says BC schools are safe.
- All schools in BC are required to have safety plans. Some schools have either passive security efforts (observational), moderate (checking in at the school office), and/or active security (including police liaison officers and security cameras).
- Last year there was debate about approaches to school safety as challenged by the SD61 Greater Victoria School District Board that did not want to have liaison officers (police) in their schools; Beare ended up dismissing the board and appointing one person to represent the school district.
Minister Beare explained today during a noon-hour media session at the legislature that the safety planning flexibility is to allow for variation in school sizes and community dynamics.
BC schools must have a Safety Coordinator:
A great deal of responsibility and accountability for safety of children in schools is put onto individual Safe School Coordinators. The Ministry says these coordinators have ministry support, but in some ways this organizational structure — primarily focussed on plans, drills and security measures) can results in a false sense of security.
Prompted by the Introduction of the School Amendment Act, 2026, the Ministry of Education and Child Care in a statement to Island Social Trends on March 6, 2026:
- All school districts must have a Safe School Coordinator, who leads district‑wide safety planning and responds to safety incidents. This includes supporting principals and school staff with emergency plans, conducting safety drills, and managing security measures.
- In partnership with safety experts Safer Schools Together, the ministry provides training and guidance to Safe School Coordinators and other safety team members.
- Boards of education make the decision about having school liaison officers in collaboration with their police partners, based on the needs of their community.
Premier Eby on school safety process:
Today Premier David Eby told media that the province is prepared to have a provincial standard for school safety. But for now, the preference is to work with individual school administrators. The Premier says he “has confidence in the ability of schools and teachers” to deal with safety management.
Minister’s statement on Tumbler Ridge and school safety:
Island Social Trends had questions for the Education and Child Care Minister, Lisa Beare, on Friday. Here is the Minister’s response.
“What happened in Tumbler Ridge was absolutely devastating, and my heart continues to be with everyone there as they heal. As parents, we all want to know that when our kids head off to school in the morning, they will come home safe. It’s important for every British Columbian to know that BC schools are safe places.
“BC’s ERASE strategy (Expect Respect and A Safe Education), positions our province as one of the top jurisdictions in North America because of its comprehensive multi-disciplinary approach to school safety. Every single school district is required to have a safe school coordinator in place. That coordinator is responsible for ensuring that there are safety plans, that there’s safety equipment, and that there are school-wide safety drills occurring. Every single district does a minimum of two security drills per year. That’s on top of fire and earthquake drills.
“Tumbler Ridge did six lockdown drills this year. It’s their safety planning and preparation, that saved lives. I am grateful to the students, teachers, and staff who acted quickly and knew exactly what to do.
“Official investigations by the RCMP and Coroner are underway and we will absolutely do everything we can to learn from this tragedy. We will continue to work closely with the school community to make any improvements that might be needed and continue to support what is working.”
School trustee elections 2026:
School trustee elections across the province will be held on October 17, 2026 (in the same election cycle as municipal mayors and councillors).
===== RELATED:
Independent BC MLA proposes bill for better school safety (March 5, 2026)
NEWS SECTIONS: 43rd PARLIAMENT OF BC | K-12 EDUCATION