The Houston government blindsided parents yesterday by announcing a two-day extension to the holiday school break, leaving many families on the hook to find childcare or time off work during the busiest time of the year.

Premier Houston says the decision to extend the holiday break to January 6th for public schools is to increase vaccination opportunities for Nova Scotian children. But with many parents expected to return to work before then, this decision by the Houston government not only presents roadblocks to getting kids vaccinated – but finding last-minute childcare as well.

“How are parents supposed to get their kids vaccinated when they’re expected to be back at work?” says Education critic Derek Mombourquette. “If families were offered the convenient option of in-school vaccinations, they wouldn’t be scrambling to find childcare.”

The Houston government, however, refuses to consider the idea of school-based immunization clinics for the COVID-19 pediatric dose — a plan the Liberals have been pressuring the government to adopt for months.

“Families shouldn’t be bearing the brunt of this oversight by the Houston government,” says Mombourquette. “This is about presenting options to parents, not challenges.”