- by Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor
When we receive statements from those in the Government or Opposition, we understand that they are written from a political perspective. In addition to some of the media releases from the government's Ontario Newsroom, we have been publishing statements from the Leader of the Green Party of Ontario, Mike Schreiner, to balance those points of view.
We offer two statements about the current work-to-rule by public elementary public school teachers as an example of the contrast.
Mike Schreiner, MPP for Guelph, Green Party:
“Teachers are taking this job action because the government refuses to reverse its drastic cuts.
Parents are already seeing first-hand the damage caused by education funding that does not keep up with inflation.
Classrooms are swelling, courses are being cancelled, and students with special needs are being left without the support they deserve.
Recent polling confirms that Ontarians are firmly on the side of teachers in standing up for investments in high-quality education.
The public sees through this government’s spin and is rejecting cuts that are being force-fed on a false premise of a deficit crisis.
I continue to respect teachers’ rights to exercise work-to-rule in order to advocate for the students and communities they serve.
For the government to secure a deal, it must completely back down on its plan to pull teachers out of the classroom and swell average class sizes to unhealthy levels.”
Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative.
"I've been clear - I want to get deals that keep the children of this province in school. It is regrettable the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO), and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) have chosen to escalate to work-to-rule action, only hurting our children. This escalation to a partial withdrawal of services, including targeting math supports and report cards, hurts our children the most.
The government has remained a consistent and reasonable force at the negotiating table, trying to reach a deal that provides certainty and predictability to parents, students, and educators. As evidenced by the voluntarily negotiated agreement with CUPE, I know we can get there through working together in good faith, so that students remain in class.
My negotiating team stands ready for meaningful, good-faith bargaining 24/7, to reach the deals Ontario students and families deserve. There is a path to a deal, and it requires all parties to be reasonable and fair and put the needs of our children first."
