B.C. Liberals say that while Premier John Horgan was busy plotting an attempted power grab, he failed to show leadership on schools and now parents and students are paying the price.

On Monday, Horgan even bragged about it: “Safe operations of our schools is not the responsibility of the Premier.”

“Actually, it is your job, John Horgan,” said Karin Kirkpatrick, the BC Liberal candidate in West Vancouver-Capilano, on Tuesday. “But because he was putting himself first we now see the impact of Horgan’s inattention, with rising COVID case numbers in schools and a West Vancouver teacher recently exposed and not being told. This dereliction of duty falls squarely at the feet of Horgan and it’s why people have lost confidence that he is putting their health first.”

The BC Teachers’ Federation has also applied to the Labour Relations Board in an attempt to get the NDP to make the health and safety of students, teachers and parents a priority.

“We need to be restoring confidence, rebuilding the trust that John Horgan has broken, and making sure that our health and our economic security are priorities,” said Kirkpatrick.