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Inclusivity questioned after N.S. student on autism spectrum told to stay home

A Nova Scotia mother of three says her youngest child was denied his right to an education when he was told to stay home from school for two weeks due to behavioural challenges related to his autism spectrum disorder.

Sara Mullins's son, Nash Daye, is in Grade 3 at Millwood Elementary School in Middle Sackville, N.S. Nash, 10, is on the autism spectrum, has ADHD, a learning delay and kidney disease, all of which contribute to a series of developmental and behavioural concerns, according to his doctors and specialists. 

Mullins said he receives one-on-one support at school but has a habit of running off — a common instinct among autistic kids — when he gets overwhelmed or overstimulated. But it's something that ultimately led to Nash being told to stay home from school.

When he leaves school property, it becomes a safety concern, the school says, and the administrators have to run after him.

Mullins said when this happens, she gets a phone call asking her to come pick him up. She said the calls have become more frequent since March, and she often has to leave her job in the middle of the day.

"They don't have the people or the structures in place for kids, especially with [an] autism diagnosis," said Mullins. 

CBC News asked if an interview could be arranged with the school's principal, but those requests were declined due to confidentiality reasons. 

Instead, communications officer Lindsey Bunin provided an email statement. 

"In situations where children require additional supports, school-based staff and HRCE specialists … create responsive plans that are constantly monitored and evolve with the needs of the student," she wrote. "These teams work collaboratively with families to provide safety, support and to develop inclusive solutions."

Read more of the story by CBC's Celina Aalders.

Buskers must now sing in French in Quebec City's tourist hub. Not everyone is happy

It's been nine years since Bosko Baker was approved to be a street musician in Quebec City and started playing across central areas and tourist hubs.

In those early years jamming in the Petit Champlain sector and on Saint-Jean Street, he described the busking scene as a melting pot of artists. But since his debut, he says the city's rules have drastically changed.

Over the years, some popular busking areas have been removed from the city's approved list, and regulations have limited the type of music that can be performed. Now, artists are required to sing exclusively in French or play instrumental in two areas. 

"It kind of takes away from the cultural mixture that was so beautiful years ago in Quebec," said Baker, who is originally from the U.S. and used to perform in New Orleans.

"The more you limit, the more you're gonna have artists that are less inspired to put art out."

According to the city's regulation regarding public entertainers, modified in May, buskers must perform in French or play instrumental music at two sites located in Petit Champlain.

In an emailed statement, a city spokesperson said these two sites are reserved for French music to "underline the 40th anniversary of Quebec's inclusion on the world heritage cities list."

It says the "reality of francophones in Quebec City" and in these sectors deserves to be highlighted even more this year because of the anniversary. The city said the new rule is part of a pilot project that will be re-evaluated. 

"It's a kind of backwards way to do it," said Baker. "I'd prefer to be able to sing in any language we want."

Read more from CBC's Rachel Watts.

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