VANCOUVER – The B.C. Liberal government’s weak response to school overcrowding in Surrey shows that Premier Christy Clark isn’t listening to the needs of parents and students when it comes to funding public education in B.C., said New Democrat Leader John Horgan on Friday.

“As usual, Christy Clark is not listening to the needs of ordinary people. It looks like her plan is to continue starving public education for funding in Surrey and in communities all over B.C. We can do better for our kids and parents,” Horgan said.

“Premier Christy Clark just told kids and parents in Surrey that she’s okay with leaving 4,500 students to learn in portables permanently. That’s not good enough. The people of Surrey need a provincial government that understands what matters most and acts in the interest of B.C. families.”

Horgan said that the B.C. Liberal funding decision is too little, too late for public education in B.C.’s fastest growing city.

“Surrey is adding another 1,000 students a year, and we’ve already got a backlog of seats needed. Once again Christy Clark’s government has over-promised and under-delivered on education,” Horgan said.

“Christy Clark gets a big fat ‘F’ for failing parents and kids in Surrey today. This isn’t the flexible capital plan that Surrey needs. It does not recognize the rapid growth in Surrey or the fact that 4,500 children will be left to learn in portables there.

“What the premier didn’t mention at her photo-op with kids in Surrey is that her commitment leaves out two of the district’s top five priority projects – a second elementary school in Clayton and an elementary school in Grandview.”

“Some of this funding is simply a re-announcement of her past broken promises to Surrey families, and some won’t happen for years.

“I’m committed to doing much better for public education in communities all around B.C.”