A central PEI school’s decision to remove a tribute to slain students has drawn backlash online and even reached the floor of the Legislative Assembly.

During question period in the PEI Legislature on Tuesday, Kensington-Malpeque MLA Matthew MacKay took issue with Kensington Intermediate Senior High’s decision to remove its memorial wall in an apparent move to avoid upsetting current students.

The wall includes the names and photographs of students who died while attending school over the years.

The decision to remove the wall prompted dozens of social media posts — including from some family members of the students at the wall — as well as an online petition with more than 1,500 signatures as of Wednesday morning.

‘Solution in search of problem’

Mackey asked Education Minister Rob Lantz if he was aware of the school’s decision and what action he planned to take.

Lantz responded that he was only made aware of the situation on Tuesday, but that neither he nor Education Department staff were consulted about the move.

He promised to look into the matter with school staff, and described the decision as “distressing” for the families of those depicted on the wall.

“It feels like a solution in search of a problem. I honestly don’t understand what we’re trying to accomplish with this. It feels like we’re trying to make sure that kids don’t get this May you find nothing unpleasant in life.” Lantz said at the legislature.

“If we’re trying to instill resilience in kids, which we certainly are, there will be obstacles, there will be unpleasant situations. We can’t remove everything.”