Statement from Zach Churchill, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

The following statement may be attributed to Zach Churchill, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development:

Yesterday, the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation (NSSAF) cancelled rugby in high schools across the province based on concern for the safety of students and injury data provided by the School Insurance Program.

In making the decision to abruptly​ end high school rugby, the NSSAF contravened the terms and conditions of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in that it neglected to inform the department of its intent to communicate it’s decision on May 2, 2019., and furthermore, made the decision without appropriate consultation with school communities.

Further, the provincial Medical Officer of Health, along with other respected physicians, have expressed strong concerns about the decision, and they’ve cited Canada-wide data.

Given the perspective offered by the province’s Medical Officer of Health, I have called on NSSAF to reinstate rugby for all high schools immediately​ for the duration of the season.

I have also asked the NSSAF to work with the department to assemble a panel of subject matter experts to thoroughly review and assess available research on safety in sports for school sports across Nova Scotia. ​

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Source : Media Release

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