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.
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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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