The provincial government doesn’t seem to be softening its stand against Ontario teachers.
In the first question period of 2020 on Tuesday, Education Minister Stephen Lecce laid the blame of the walk-out’s squarely at the feet of the teachers unions.
“This has gone on for too long and I think the parents of this province recognize that given that this takes place every few years in this province. In this negotiation we are fighting hard at the table with a mission to get a deal, but a good deal for our students, a deal that invests more but expects more from the system.”
Lecce adds parents have indicated to him that the one-day strikes are hurting them and their children and the provincial goal is to keep students in class.
NDP leader Andrea Horwath is calling for the resignation of the Education Minister.
Horwath accuses Lecce of not attending any negotiating sessions and the province firing it’s own negotiators.
“The government, the Premier, his Minister have poisoned the relationship with teachers, with schools boards, with unions at the bargaining table and with the province’s parents and students. Why is this Minister still at his job?”
NDP Education Critic Marit Stiles adds Stephen Lecce has failed Ontarians.
Stiles is asking the Education Minister to admit that provincial cuts are causing irreparable damage to the public education system.
She’s also asking Lecce to step aside as a result of the labour dispute with teachers.
We are committed to reaching a good deal for students that keeps them in class. #onpoli pic.twitter.com/ZHGylawejX
— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) February 18, 2020
