WalkSafer returns
The Camosun College Student Society (CCSS) announced in an email today that it is bringing back its WalkSafer program. The program—which gives students someone to safely walk or get a ride with in a golf cart on campus—had to be shut down during the initial wave of COVID-19 shutdowns in March. However, the CCSS is now offering a limited version of the program, with security guards carrying the WalkSafer phones at both campuses Monday to Saturday, from 4 pm “to late,” according to the email. As well, the CCSS has hired a dedicated female security guard to be their WalkSafer ambassador at Interurban. The CCSS says the program will run like this until the end of April. To call or text WalkSafer at Lansdowne, the number is 250-217-4568; at Interurban, it’s 250-217-5029. See camosunstudent.org for more info on the student society.
New Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training announced
Anne Kang, NDP MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake, is the new minister of advanced education, skills and training. Kang takes the position over from Melanie Mark. BC premier John Horgan announced that Kang will be taking the role yesterday. Kang was the minister of citizens’ services for BC from January 22 until she took on her new position.
Student-loan repayment moratorium could be extended
On Tuesday, November 24, the House of Commons gave unanimous support to Edmonton Strathcona NDP MP Heather McPherson’s motion to extend the moratorium on student-loan repayments. Student-loan repayments and interest accumulation were frozen in March, but that freeze ended on September 30. Although as of today students are still required to make payments, student groups are hopeful that with the unanimous support, the moratorium will soon be extended to help out students suffering from the financial impacts of COVID-19.