Article content continued

In addition to the financial hit, the cancellations are a disappointment for families — Rowe’s son, for instance, spent the past year learning Japanese in preparation for the trip. Scarlett says she understands why the trips were dropped but wishes more options were available to families.

“We don’t fault the CBE for the decision that they made. I think they were incredible in thinking through this process,” Scarlett said. “Moving forward, I’d really like to see the decision-making process be put back on the parents with regards to the insurance.

“It’s our capacity as parents to make the decisions that are in the best interest of our family.”

Rowe says she wants parents to know about the financial risk of CBE trips and hopes new policies are introduced in the future to prevent a similar situation.

“The CBE need to have a proper insurance policy in case of this happening again in the future, or they have to give parents the ability to insure themselves,” she said. “I’d be very hesitant to send my son on another school trip. Parents need to know that this coverage is completely inadequate. Unless things change, you have no way to protect yourself financially, and most people aren’t able to just come up with $4,000.”

The non-refunded money from the trips will go to the tour operators, not the CBE, Davies said. He added that he hopes a travel voucher can be provided to families whose trips were cancelled.

“We would be hopeful that things clear up over the next six months or so and we’re able to arrange another opportunity for kids to travel,” Davies said.