Diesel school buses are bad for our kids' health and worsen the climate impacts they'll inherit.
Places like Virginia and PEI are moving to 100% electric school buses, and those types of buses are even made in Canada!
(Here is a backgrounder with more on electric buses.)
Could you help? If enough of us ask for this shift, the BC government will feel the need to move.
We started this petition to sign and share, and if you have a couple of hours, here's what else would be super helpful:
1) Find A Friend (Or Two)
This is more fun with friends. Plus, you'll get more done. So, reach out and recruit a friend or two - then maybe they'll have another friend or two! Or, you could already be in a local group and you could take this to them?
2) Make Art And Images
This could be a great way to involve your kids. Here is a downloadable colouring sheet that kids can fill in and mail to the BC Education Minister Rob Fleming. Older kids could practice their writing with a letter. Or, here is a downloadable poster for you hold while taking a picture of yourself or somebody else by a school bus. Or do something else! Get creative and then be sure to take pictures and share them on social media using the hashtag #ebus. Tag us - we'll amplify.
3) Influence Local Influencers
One of the most powerful things you can do is to gain the support of local people or bodies who the BC Education Minister listens to. A big one would be your local school board - could you work to get a supportive electric school bus from them? To do that you may want to reach out to local school student groups, PACs, and teachers unions for support. Another key local influencer is your MLA - no matter what party they are with, go meet them and ask them for their support - the more public their support, the better!
4) Spread The Word
You can spread the word by sharing the petition, downloading, cutting, and passing out this flyer at bus stops, and reaching out to your local media. On the latter, you could write a letter to the editor, or if your school board or MLA does something (and even if you are just asking them to do something), you can call up your local media to tell them what's going on and why you are doing what you are doing.
For any and all of these activities, we can help! Just drop us a line to let us know what you are up to and we'll support you however we can. Contact: hello [at] forourkids [dot] ca or text/call 250-466-9709.
