Saskatchewan’s education minister has apologized in the legislature for rhetorically asking if he should give up his first-born child when speaking to a mother whose daughter had died.
Jeremy Cockrill says he used a poor choice of words in the private meeting with Taya Thomas about teachers wanting more supports for students with extra needs.
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The woman’s daughter, 13-year-old Mayelle, died last year after dealing with multiple medical conditions.
She had seizures and used a wheelchair.
Her mother says the girl was not able to attend high school, because there was no room for her in a specialized program.
Thomas says when she met the minister this week to discuss negotiations with the teachers’ union, he asked her, “What do they want me to do? Give up my first-born child?”
Cockrill says he’s human and he knew he made a mistake the moment the words came out of his mouth.
Thomas says the minister’s comment was careless.
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