A lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and a breakdown in communication with Garden River First Nation has led Boissoneau Bus Lines to slam the brakes on its bus service to Sault Ste. Marie, a move impacting more than 200 students.
The cancellation of bus service comes after the Garden River-based company was informed by the First Nation Sept. 1 that students riding the bus must have PPE - but ultimately, it’s the responsibility of Boissoneau Bus Lines to provide it.
According to Barrister/Solicitor Naomi Sayers - who is representing the bus company’s owner and operator, Gord Boissoneau - the First Nation effectively left the company “scrambling” for PPE in the days leading up to the beginning of the school year, despite repeated attempts to get clarification from Garden River leadership over the past month.
“The band (Garden River First Nation) has almost always remained passive in regards to the decision-making process to date. They need to take a more active role and ensure the protection and safety of their children, which is a requirement - not just for the bus company, but for the band,” Sayers told SooToday Friday afternoon. “Boissoneau Bus Lines hopes to receive at least a response in that regard, and it’s really hard when there’s no response and last-minute demands from them.”
According to Sayers, Boissoneau Bus Lines has proposed solutions to Garden River in order to develop a comprehensive safety plan for the transportation of students to schools in Sault Ste. Marie amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but so far, “they haven’t provided any approval or direction in regards to that.”
“Essentially all decisions must receive consent from the band or approval from the band - and there hasn’t been any such to date,” Sayers said.
SooToday has reached out to Garden River First Nation Chief Andy Rickard for comment.
Boissoneau Bus Lines has been providing bus service for Garden River First Nations students attending schools in Sault Ste. Marie since the 1988-1989 academic year.
