Jordan Kealy Introduces School Safety Legislation Following Tumbler Ridge Tragedy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jordan Kealy Introduces School Safety Legislation Following Tumbler Ridge Tragedy

Victoria, B.C. — March 5th, 2026

MLA Jordan Kealy has introduced the School Amendment Act, 2026, legislation designed to strengthen the safety of students in schools across British Columbia by establishing controlled entry points to school buildings during school hours.

The proposed legislation comes in response to the recent tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, which highlighted concerns about how easily school buildings can sometimes be accessed during the school day.

“The purpose of this legislation is straightforward: to strengthen the safety of our children while they are at school,” said Kealy. “No parent should ever have to worry that someone could simply walk into their child’s school without oversight while students are in classrooms trying to learn.”

The bill would require schools to implement controlled entry systems so that visitors must be monitored before accessing students or staff inside school buildings.

Many schools across British Columbia already use controlled entry systems where visitors must check in before entering the building. The proposed legislation would ensure that this level of protection is applied consistently across the province.

“Controlled entry points create a moment of pause,” Kealy said. “They ensure that individuals cannot simply walk into a school unnoticed. In an emergency, even those few minutes can matter, giving staff time to call 911, initiate a lockdown, and protect the children in their care.”

Kealy noted that controlled entry is already a standard safeguard in many other places. “Courthouses control who enters. Government buildings control who enters. Even in our own homes, we lock our doors and check who is outside before allowing someone in,” he said. “Yet the places where our children spend most of their day are often among the most accessible buildings in our communities.”

Kealy said he has spoken with individuals closely connected to families affected by the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, and that the message from parents has been clear.

“No one should be able to access children during the school day without permission,” he said. “The loss suffered in that community is a tragedy, and I never want to see something like that happen to another child in this province.”

“It would be my honor for this to be my first bill to pass into legislation as quickly as possible”.

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Media Contacts:

Kris.Eriksen@leg.bc.ca