Moncton must address École Champlain's location
Coun. Paulette Thériault says school location 'affects the city'
Parents at a Moncton elementary school are continuing to be concerned that odours from nearby industrial companies are a possible health hazard for their children and are calling on the city to fix the situation.
École Champlain, which was built in 1969, sits in a residential neighbourhood that is surrounded by a number of industrial companies.
When the school was constructed there was only an asphalt plant in the area, but now dozens of other industrial companies have set up nearby.
Parents have repeatedly complained that strong odours from the industrial sites have caused children to be kept indoors during recess or forced classes to be held in the cafeteria.
The Department of Environment tested the area in 2009 and 2010 and found the smells do not pose a health risk to the students.
The school's parents committee will meet with the city council on Tuesday to try and find a solution, including a proposal to move the companies out of the area.
Moncton Coun. Paulette Thériault said the school is posing an environmental issue that the city needs to address.
"It affects the city, it affects the citizens who live in the area," Thériault said.
"I'm not aware of any places that we would allow this heavy industry zoning in an area where people live and because you have a school, you have teachers, you have young kids."
Parents moving students
The school’s location in an industrial zone is causing some parents to move their children away.
Ginette Cormier said she plans to move her kids out of École Champlain in September.
"It's certainly an inconvenience for us, but for our family it's the best decision for their well-being," she said.
Cormier’s decision is becoming more common, according to the president of the parent-school committee.
Stephanie Hooper said even a local newcomer centre has stopped recommending the school to people.
"No matter what anyone's telling you, when they come and do the testing and it meets the norms, you know that those incidents, and the accumulation of those incidents don't make a good environment that's adequate for learning," she said.