Green Party of Ontario Leader and MPP for Guelph, Mike Schreiner, made the following statement in response to today’s announcement from the Education Minister:

“I’m concerned the Education Minister is creating unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles that won’t do anything to improve the state of our classrooms.

These additional math tests are an unfair way to pin the blame for low math scores on teachers rather than a more constructive solution that will work for everyone. Much like the sex-ed snitch line, these additional tests risk creating more division between parents and educators.

Our teachers go through a rigorous post-secondary process to become certified. The Minister must show us the evidence that elbowing into the space of the Ontario College of Teachers will make any difference.

I am pleased the government is taking steps to protect students from sexual abuse, but there is a tremendous irony that this comes from the same government trying to erase topics like consent, gender expression and online safety from the sexual health curriculum.

It is hypocritical for the government to protect children from predators inside the classroom, but then withhold information that will keep them safe from predators outside of the classroom.”