For the second consecutive day, extreme cold has severely disrupted school transportation across Abitibi-Témiscamingue, forcing local educational institutions to react swiftly to the frigid conditions. On Tuesday, administrators announced the cancellation of school transport for students of the Centre de services scolaires (CSS) du Lac-Témiscamingue and CSS Harricana. While CSS Harricana suspended all classes for the day, it noted adult education classes would proceed as usual.
Meanwhile, the CSS Rouyn-Noranda delays transportation by four hours. Updates are expected mid-morning, and during this period, it is treating the day as pedagogical. Parents are advised not to notify schools about their children's absence for this specific day.
At CSS du Lac-Abitibi, classes continue as planned at the Professional Training Center and Adult Education Center, with schools remaining open at CSS de l’Or-et-des-Bois. The child care services across the territory are also operational. On Monday, school transport had already been canceled due to the adverse weather conditions.
Adding to the problems, Environment Canada issued smog warnings alongside the extreme cold alerts. According to the weather service, temperatures plummeted between -35 to -40 degrees Celsius, with wind chill making it feel as low as -45 degrees. The cold snap is predicted to end by Wednesday morning, with residents urged to prepare for the impending changes.
Vincent Audy-Lacroix, communications officer at the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST), emphasized the importance of vigilance among workers. During his appearance on the local program Ça vaut le retour, he warned of symptoms to look for during such extreme conditions, including redness, tingling, numbness, unexpected clumsiness, and excessive shivering. “There arises the possibility of imminent danger,” he indicated, advising both the public and workers to stay alert and take appropriate measures to safeguard their health.
Throughout Abitibi-Témiscamingue, the community responds to the threats posed not just by the cold but also by the rising risk of health complications associated with such extreme weather. Schools are adapting to these severe conditions with flexible and responsive strategies to maintain educational services for adult learners, indicating resilience and ingenuity.
The coming days will be pivotal as temperatures are forecasted to rise following this drastic cold snap. This potential shift raises the hope among families and educators for more stable and warmer conditions, allowing for resumption of regular school activities without interruptions.