EMSB to purchase air purifiers for school buildings without mechanical ventilation

The English Montreal School Board (EMSB) Council of Commissioners has approved a plan to install approximately 800 air purifiers in all buildings where mechanical ventilation systems are not in place.

Interim Director General Russell Copeman has been authorized to sign a contract and take all of the necessary steps to purchase by mutual agreement, in accordance to the Act respecting contracting by public bodies, these air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA).

The EMSB Material Resources Department has completed an assessment of all 55 buildings which house schools and adult and vocational education services.  It will cost $1.75 million for the purchase, installation and maintenance of these air purifiers for the 30 buildings identified. In order to protect the safety and security of the students and staff members, the resolution calls for Chair Joe Ortona to communicate with the Ministère de l’Éducation to request that the EMSB be reimbursed for all expenses to be incurred.

“Due to the current ongoing COVID-19 health crisis and the arrival of the cold weather season, there is no question that naturally ventilated classrooms and specific areas should be equipped with these air purifiers,” said Mr. Ortona. “This was the first dossier I asked for a report on when our Council was sworn into office three weeks ago”.

Stakeholders will receive more information on this project shortly.

For a list of schools set to receive these air purifiers click here.

About the English Montreal School Board

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 37,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines. Our network consists of 77 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.