the voice

The VOICE
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It’s been a busy month for us at Parents for Mask Free Education. We’ve been hearing from so many parents across Canada asking what they can do to reverse mask mandates for children in school. As you know, one of our key efforts is holding provincial governments and school boards accountable for arbitrary decisions to force masks on young children. We have fundraised for a legal action that targets a number of school boards in Ontario. 


Update on the legal action
We are exploring a second legal action against school boards due to  stricter regulations on mask wearing for young children and mask exemption policies we believe are unconstitutional.


Ontario imposes stricter mask regulations 
Many school boards in Ontario have been cracking down on medical exemptions for mask wearing for students. Some school boards have attempted to outright revoke existing mask exemptions from children, despite valid medical issues. Other boards are simply not allowing any exemptions at all, leaving children with medical issues unable to receive accommodation at school. Many school principals have asked parents to provide medical documentation for their children’s exemptions, a practice that is discouraged by the provincial government. Because these practices encourage medical discrimination, we believe there are valid reasons for an additional legal action. We are in the process of obtaining legal counsel, and we hope to secure representation soon. 
In February, Ontario made masks mandatory starting from grade 1, from grade 4 previously (though many school boards had independently mandated them from kindergarten last September). In February, masks also became mandatory while children are outside during recess and lunch breaks. This is the most notable change from the period prior to the holiday break in 2020. We have heard from many parents whose children have struggled with wearing masks for 6.5+ hours a day, sometimes without adequate breaks. This is why we think it’s time to double down on our efforts. We have a lot in the works!


Our work load has tripled as of late and we are overwhelmed with the advocacy work we are doing for parents. We cannot keep up the pace without more Volunteers.






That is why we are looking for volunteers. If you have any experience with the following: 

• Video production/editing
• Web design or graphic design
• Digital and traditional marketing
• Campaign organizing
• Instagram management 
• Facebook Group Moderation and oversight
• Business development
• Social media expertise
• Paralegal
• General office administration skills

Please email us at info@parentsformaskfreeeducation.com


We are interested in collecting video testimonials from parents whose children have experienced mental, emotional or physical harm from mask wearing. The more we can collect, the more impact our effort will have. If you are interested, please contact us and we can help you with the details.
We also have several social media groups you can join, including: Parents for Mask Free Education’s Facebook group, Unmaskkids Canada – My Story, a Facebook group dedicated to sharing stories of harmful mask mandates on children, and Parents for Mask Free Education Canada’s Twitter page, which has grown to nearly 800 followers!


We encourage every parent to speak out against the harms of mandatory masking on children. If your child has experienced any negative effects from wearing a mask all day, we strongly encourage you to document the details and write a letter or email to:
-Your school principal
-Local trustees/superintendents/director of education at your school board
-Your MPPs or MLAs
-Your province’s education minister
-Your province’s chief medical officer of health 
-Your premier 
The more they hear from parents, they more influence we can have. 


While some of this newsletter will be dedicated to our collective efforts, we’ll also share any interesting news and studies about mask-wearing, especially for children.
QUEBEC MANDATES MASKS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Starting March 8, children in elementary schools in Quebec’s so-called “red zones” will have to wear masks in class. The province will provide masks to students in grade 1 and up. There’s currently a petition against this measure, which you can sign here.


B.C. TEACHERS SEEK STRICTER MASK MANDATES
Teachers in B.C. are calling on the provincial government to impose stricter mask mandates. Currently, masks are recommended for elementary students, but not mandatory.  




MY STORY:
Wendy, a member of UnmaskKids – My Story writes:
My 9-year-old was complaining of headaches and chest pain once she returned in-class learning. I called the school to express my concerns. She is now allowed to go mask-free at recess, all of snack and lunch, along with other breaks in between if needed. Since then, she no longer suffers from these complaints. Today while in class, my 7-year-old started to see double and became very dizzy.






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Parents For Mask Free Education

NOW is the time to stand up for the rights of our ​children!
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