Environmental concerns took centre stage at the Winnipeg school board meeting on Monday, January 10. Trustees representing the Winnipeg School Division were faced with three separate motions introduced by trustee Mike Babinsky, which aimed to reduce the environmental impact of plastics. Although none of his motions were carried, it did not dampen the veteran trustee's spirits. That's because one of Babinsky's main objectives was to create a dialogue about reducing plastic waste in Winnipeg School Division institutions.
The three motions Babinsky proposed were all subsequently referred to the policy/program committee for further analysis. Among the motions, Babinsky suggested banning the sale of plastic beverage bottles and eliminating the use of plastic containers by students and staff. He also proposed that the school board lobby the provincial and civic governments to establish a refundable deposit for plastic bottles similar to ones established in other provinces.
Some of the other trustees were reluctant to support Babinsky's motions without further consultation. When referring to the motion to ban the sale of plastic beverage bottles in Winnipeg School Division schools and buildings, Trustee Joyce Bateman noted that it was "critical to consult with our students, our staff and our parents." She added, "to miss the opportunity for consultation would be a waste."
The most contentious of the motions introduced by Babinsky was the proposal that the Winnipeg school board should lobby local governments to create a refundable deposit for plastic bottles. Trustee Kristine Barr said that the motion was "not within (the school board's) mandate," suggesting that "if all (the trustees') personal issues became agenda issues, (the board would) be here until Tuesday morning."
However, Trustee Anthony Ramos came to Babinsky's defense on the lobbying issue. Ramos said "dialogue does put it on everyone's mind that we are behind the rest of the country," adding that if the Winnipeg school board's efforts could produce a shift in consumer consumption "we should keep it on (the board's) radars."
Ultimately, Babinsky was expecting the motions to create further discussion. According to the trustee, his goal wasn't to force the environmental issues on anyone, but rather it was to foster more discussion. "I'm not trying to ban little Johnny's mom from packing a bottle of water for him to have with his sandwich," rather, he stated "I was expecting further dialogue."
Babinsky noted that further dialogue could lead to positive changes in behaviour, and pointed to the shift he noticed in the use of Styrofoam cups to coffee mugs in school break rooms. He said there was no ban on Styrofoam, and all it took was an idea to change consumption. Babinsky said fostering continued dialogue is about "encouraging our staff further" to make positive environmental changes.
What differences did you find between the meetings of the school board and city council?
ReplyDeleteI nearly died when I read this:
ReplyDeleteHere's a copy of an article I wrote about a Winnipeg school board meeting. The meeting was riveting, and so is this story. Let it captivate your imagination.
You make me laugh.