“All classes should meet this target of less than 1000 ppm […] this fall,” promised the Minister of Education, Jean-François Roberge, in mid-August.
It missed.
In November, 20% of classes in Quebec had an average concentration of CO2 higher than 1000 ppm (the standard in France, the United States, Germany) and 2.6% of the classes had a concentration higher than 1500 ppm (the standard in Quebec, even if the committee of experts recommended 1000 ppm). Good air quality in schools helps ensure good respiratory health and reduces aerosol transmission of COVID-19.
The new Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville, who is following the file closely, admits that there is still “a lot of work to be done”. We love his frankness. But it is taking a bad turn from its predecessor: when CO levels2 increase, Quebec returns to the standard of 1500 ppm. It may give better stats, but it doesn’t improve air quality. Quebec must aim for 1000 ppm now.
We understand that the file is not simple, that Quebec has already spent 489 million, that many schools are dilapidated.
But the Legault government also dragged its feet: it spent two school years minimizing the issue, and a third school year saying that everything was settled. Students and teachers will however spend a third winter with the solution of opening the windows.
It’s really not strong.