Edmonton Catholic district cancels all international field trips

Some high school students in Edmonton are upset theEdmonton Catholic School District has cancelled all international field trips for the rest of the school year.

"I think for parents, we just need to say, 'We know you're going to be disappointed, we know your children are going to be disappointed," board spokesperson LoriNagysaid.

"But ultimately, from what we've seeninthe last few weeks throughout the world, we no longer live in a certain world climate. We don't know what could happen at any time."

The districtsaid 20 trips had been planned between now and the end of May.

Nagycited recent media reports about hundreds of mass shootings in the United States.

ButGrade 12high school football player LoganSalpetersaid Canadiansshouldn't give up their freedoms out of fear.

"They want you to give in to their threats," he said of the terrorists involved in recent attacks. "They want you to be scared. They want to to fear them.

"So, we need to take a stand and say we're against it."

NicoleSpinksplays for St. Francis Xavier's women's hockey team.Her team had plannedto go to a tournament in Washington.

But she said she agrees with the decision to cancel international field trips.

"I'm stuck in the middle on this one," she said. "You want to play hockey whenever you can. It really does suck when you can't play, but it's a matter of safety and you don't want anyone hurt or injured or anything."

Nagy said the boardalso considered recommendations from the Alberta School Boards Associationinsurance program regarding the risks associated with international travel.

"With recent events in Paris and California, and heightened concerns in other cities, we feel it best to limit our travels to within Canada for the remainder of this school year," the board said in astatement.

"This was a really difficult decision for administration to make," Nagy said.

Any decision about international trips for the next school year will be made at a later date.

Parents with questions are advised to contact their school principals.

The Calgary Catholic School Districtalso announced Monday it has cancelled all international trips this year.