Education Minister Mike Bernier released the following statement today clarifying utilization targets for school construction in B.C.:

“There has been a great deal of confusion about utilization targets lately – much of that confusion driven by misinformation pushed out by various parties. We are ending that confusion today by getting rid of utilization targets as part of our school investment process.

“Since the early 2000s utilization targets have been a highly technical planning tool for school districts and the Province when it comes to building new schools and expanding existing ones. The rationale is quite simple – making sure existing schools were being used as much as possible before making a multi-million dollar investment in a new school or a school expansion.

“Getting rid of the sliding scale of utilization targets used throughout the province based on a district’s size better reflects the reality of how school projects are approved in B.C. – on a case-by-case basis. Vancouver is the best example of this. We are funding the new International Village school because of the growing student population in the area even though across Vancouver there are thousands of empty seats, 10% fewer students, and utilization targets in the 80% to 85% range – well below the 95% target.

“Student safety is key and that is why utilization targets have never been a requirement for seismic upgrades. The Province has worked with districts on a case-by-case basis to ensure schools are upgraded as quickly as possible. Districts like North Vancouver, Delta and Greater Victoria have made incredible progress getting schools upgraded and ensuring the right amount of space for the right number of students.

“Vancouver is unique because it is the only district that has a districtwide goal related to seismic upgrades – something the board agreed to in a Memorandum of Understanding with the Province. It is clear this is a goal not a requirement as right now there is $200 million worth of provincially funded seismic upgrades under way in Vancouver. To reflect this reality of funding upgrades when a solid case is brought forward, we will remove the 95% goal if the Vancouver School Board agrees.

“School districts will still need to justify their applications to build new schools or expand existing ones. Taxpayers expect to be investing in the right number of schools for the actual number of students. The reason is simple – putting massive efforts into maintaining empty classrooms short-changes students of better classroom services, more teachers and more education assistants.”