Letter to the Editor, Moncton Times & Transcript
Bullying bill must be passed
To The Editor:
I read with interest the Saturday column by Marie-Claude Blais in the Times & Transcript. As the anti-bullying activist and former victim of bullying who pushed both government and the opposition to get the Act to Amend the Education Act introduced to the provincial legislature, I felt the need to comment.
I have spoken both to government and opposition members since Bill 52 was presented to the Legislature, and have assured both parties that I will make it my personal goal that this bill will not be forgotten.
I made it very clear that the need for this bill is much more important than any one political party's views. I hope that this bill will ensure that no other student in New Brunswick will have to endure 11 years of bullying like I did.
One statement made in the Blais column caught my attention: "This bill was debated on Thursday, March 25, was accepted 'in principle' by government members and was then sent forward to the committee of the whole, which essentially means it will be filed away to gather dust and eventually be forgotten."
I made a public promise: I refuse to allow this bill to be forgotten. I am asking David Alward, along with his party, for their support to ensure this bill will not die on the legislature floor. As I have said several times, this bill is looking out for the interest of all New Brunswick students.
Premier Graham, you and your government supported the designation of "Anti-Bullying Day" each Dec. 17 in our province. I now ask you to go one step further and have Bill 52 "An Act to Amend the Education Act," brought through committee of the whole, and finally to the third reading where it would become law as part of the current Education Act.
Rob Frenette,
Woodstock
