Parents question Waterloo Region District School Board's decision to cancel student trips to France, Belgium

A decision by the Waterloo Region District School Board to cancel upcoming student trips to Belgium and France is being questioned by parents.

On Friday afternoon, the school board issued a statement saying it had cancelled trips, including one planned for April 2017 for students to visit Vimy Ridge.

According to the board, the decision was made after additional school groups asked in September to be part of the trip.

It was at that time the board noticed the federal government currently recommends Canadian citizens "exercise a high degree of caution due to the current elevated threat of terrorism" when visiting France, spokesperson Nick Manning said. 

"The security level that the Canadian government shares for France had changed since we'd originally approved those trips back in October 2015," Manning said. 

That advisory was updated Nov. 2, but also says there is no nationwide advisory for France. The advisory also notes there has been an increase in terrorist attacks in France since 2015.

"Safety is in the forefront of our minds," Manning said. "These are precious young lives that we are entrusted with keeping secure and it's very difficult to know what 'exercising a high degree of caution' really means in a country at any given time."

Primary concern is safety of students, staff

In an email to CBC News, Michael Romahn said he learned about the decision through media reports.

Two of his children attend Cameron Heights and were part of a school trip to Vimy Ridge in April, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. 

He said he read that the government's caution was the reason not to go and he "would be curious if this is the result the national government would have intended."

He said he wrote a letter to trustees Sunday, but did not receive an immediate response.

In its statement, the school board said parents and caregivers are expected to receive letters from the board Monday and said that students will be reimbursed.

"We understand the disappointment this decision causes our students, staff and families. Our primary concern is always the safety and security of our students and staff – each and every one," the board said in a statement.

Former MP and Ontario Premier Bob Rae also commented on the school board's decision, saying it "reflects poorly on their judgement and common sense."