Seine River SD bans U.S. travel

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This article was published 15/03/2025 (378 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Unless the trip is already booked, no more Seine River School Division (SRSD) students or staff will be travelling to the United States until President Trump changes his mind on trying to turn Canada into the 51st state.

Trustee Christine Roskos brought forward the motion, also wanting to look at the procurement policy.

“Any U.S. travel that has costs incurred and/or booking made may proceed as planned. All other travel by students or staff of Seine River School Division to U.S. destinations is suspended effective immediately without board approval,” read the motion passed at the March 11 board meeting.

Board Chair Wendy Bloomfield said during the meeting that unless the board later decides to approve it, that would include the annual band trip to the International Peace Garden on the western Manitoba – North Dakota border, which does not require going through U.S. Customs.

“But the International Music Camp is American and you pay in U.S. funds,” said Bloomfield during the board meeting.

The school division gives money to the Seine River Teachers Association (SRTA) for professional development. The board did not decide to enforce the rule on the SRTA, but its president Jonathan Waite was at the meeting and responded.

He said while teachers are busy with report cards, the SRTA plans on discussing an American travel ban more in depth after spring break in April. There is one trip Waite knew of approved for April.

“This is on the agenda. I hear what the trustees are saying. We would also like to be in lockstep with what the board decision is, it makes no sense for us to be counter to that.

“In fact, we are unofficially in the same boat as you folks. We feel about it the exact same way. We just need to formalize it,” explained Waite.