School Safety and Security: A Heartbreaking Reminder of the Importance of Planning

On February 12, 2026, school flags across the country were at half-mast as a result of the February 10, 2026, tragic school shooting in the close-knit Tumbler Ridge community in British Columbia.

The devastating and heartbreaking consequences of this event highlight the need for school authorities to:

  • ensure school safety plans, which are intended to mitigate against risk, are up to date and clearly communicated;
  • train / offer refresher training to school board trustees and staff on respectful workplace, safe and caring, harassment, and anti-bullying administrative procedures, and for professional staff to involve students in discussions about respectful conduct in the context of these procedures;
  • engage trustees, staff, students, and parents about the human element of:
    • treating others with kindness;
    • avoiding cruel gossip / gossip that crosses the line to become toxic;
    • showing compassion; and
    • being inclusive.

Prevention

Prevention derives from the application and oversight of sound administrative policies dealing with safe, caring, and welcoming schools. School authorities may wish to look over the Education Act’s safety-related statutory duties:

Board Responsibilities
33(1)(d)  A board, as a partner in education, has the responsibility to ensure that each student enrolled in a school operated by the board and each staff member employed by the board is provided with a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging,

Principals
197(a.1)  A principal of a school must provide a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging,

Student responsibilities
31  A student, as a partner in education, has the responsibility to
(c) ensure that the student’s conduct contributes to a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging,
(d) respect the rights of others in the school,
(e) refrain from, report and not tolerate bullying or bullying behaviour directed toward others in the school, whether or not it occurs within the school building, during the school day or by electronic means,
(f) comply with the rules of the school and the policies of the board,
(i) positively contribute to the student’s school and community.

Parent Responsibilities
32. A parent has the prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be provided to the parent’s child, and as a partner in education, has the responsibility to
(d) ensure that the parent’s conduct contributes to a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment,
(f) encourage, foster and advance collaborative, positive and respectful relationships with teachers, principals, other school staff and professionals providing supports and services in the school

Prohibited activities
256(d) No person shall conduct themselves in a manner detrimental to the safe operations of a school.

In light of the Tumbler Ridge school shooting, school authorities may also wish to:

  • examine whether they have developed and maintained a strong and safe reporting culture in which staff, students, parents, and the community report threats when they become aware of them – giving staff more time to make responsible decisions;
  • identify risks (if at all) and required risk management steps relative to mental health matters with which a school may be dealing;
  • be aware that the Education Act places a positive statutory duty on students to report bullying or bullying behaviour toward others in the school [whether at school or electronically (s. 31(e))] and assess whether the school has created a safe environment for such reporting;
  • deter student threat-makers (hoaxes) through appropriate responses in a timely manner;
  • confer with local law enforcement about the potential for copycat shootings and potential threats;
  • assess all threats for credibility purposes and remove reasonable foreseeable risk of harm to school staff, students, parents, and school stakeholders;
  • review lockdown procedures as per procedure and whether amendments should be made to enhance the same;
  • consider whether additional security measures are warranted.

We commend school authorities in Alberta for the many steps taken daily to ensure schools remain safe and welcoming spaces. In terms of human experience, we add that kindness, caring, civility, and inclusion go a long way to enhance positive school environments and avoid future problems.