Premier Horgan and Rob Fleming, Minister of Education, hosted B.C.'s 12th-annual Pink Shirt Day event at the Parliament Buildings to proclaim Bullying Awareness Day. They were joined by local students, MLAs and Carol Todd, parent and founder of the Amanda Todd Legacy Society.
They gathered to introduce new online safety sessions to help support and protect students against cyberbullying.
The Ministry of Education is investing $160,000 to provide over 190 online safety sessions to more than 19,000 students in grades 3-12 throughout the province. The sessions will provide students with information on recognizing the importance of protecting their privacy online and details on how to use the ERASE (Expect Respect and a Safe Education) anonymous-reporting tool in response to bullying and other concerns.
ERASE will now also focus on social media and online safety, mental health and wellness, substance use, gang prevention and supporting students of all sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI).
New ERASE resources and training for students, parents, educators and community partners are being launched during the current school year.