Schreiner urges all sides to work together to keep teachers and students in the classroom

September 12, 2019

TORONTO — Green Party of Ontario Leader, Mike Schreiner, released the following statement after it was announced that the Elementary Teachers' union would hold a strike vote:

“Nobody wants to see an interruption to the school year – not teachers, education staff, unions, parents, students or even the Ford government.

But the uncertainty surrounding class size increases and the erratic moves by the Ford government have put us in this situation.

While the Premier campaigned as if he would simply trim the fat, his decisions have proven to be a much greater threat to the quality of education than he led on.

The shift to larger classes, online learning and fewer support staff has created massive anxiety for students and educators, not to mention the Premier’s continued inappropriate remarks besmirching union leaders.

At the end of the day, cuts hurt kids. I stand with educators who defend high-quality public education. I respect their right to collective bargaining and labour action in order to defend quality education.

I encourage the new Education Minister to act on his new positive tone with a meaningful commitment to good faith negotiations.

I urge all parties to work collaboratively to keep teachers and students in the classroom.”

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