The Yukon government (YG) is dragging their feet on fixing the problem of lead-tainted school drinking water and the Yukon Employees’ Union (YEU) is calling them out. We filed a grievance about it and we’re inviting Yukoners to sign on and share their concerns.

Background:

Earlier this year, the government promised to test the water supplies of 30 schools here in the territory for lead. They broke their promise to do the work during the summer break. 

Ironically, the issue was discovered when students at Del Van Gorder School in Faro found elevated levels of lead in their school’s drinking water as a part of their science fair project. 

“The long-term impact of lead-tainted drinking water can be devasting. The students and workers in these schools deserve access to safe drinking water,” said Justin Lemphers, Yukon Employees’ Union President. 

According to the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, lead consumption reduces intelligence in children as a measure of IQ. There is no known safe exposure level to lead. 

As both employer and facility owner, the territorial government has failed to properly assess and communicate the degree of risk to students and workers. Schools are places of learning, workplaces and public-use spaces and YG must uphold safety standards. 

In 2018 & 2019, tests were done to check lead levels in schools by the YG. The government did some remediation work, but didn’t follow up when guidelines were updated in March 2019. Nearly five and a half years later, we have no idea how much unsafe water people have been exposed to.

The Yukon Employee’s Union is urging the government to complete remediation efforts before the Christmas holidays begins. 

Sign this petition to pressure the government to act responsibly and show support for our grievance. Let’s make sure all Yukon students and teachers have access to safe drinking water.