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2 responses to “Green Party- merging public & separate school systems would save Ontario $1,300,000,000 pr year”

1. 

   Rebecca Harrison

   September 3, 2012

   PRESS RELEASE
   QUEEN’S PARK – Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner is
   committed to holding the government accountable for its focus on
   scoring short-term political points, rather than seeking long-term
   solutions. The GPO is urging the government to act on three important
   issues during this session.

   FAIR SCHOOLS

   The GPO is challenging the McGuinty government to stop attacking
   teachers and to work with teachers to find savings. Instead of closing
   the door to talks about modernizing Ontario’s school system, the
   government should take a serious look at the advantages of moving to
   one school board.

   “McGuinty should be in a room with teachers, looking for solutions to
   the crisis in our educational system, rather than pushing through his
   political agenda,” says GPO Leader Mike Schreiner. “This undemocratic
   attack on Ontario’s educational staff will not be the last, unless we
   start a discussion on ending wasteful duplication in our current
   school system.”

   Studies from independent organizations show Ontario could save $1.3
   to $1.6 billion by moving towards a single English and French public
   school board.

   ONTARIANS FIRST

   Instead of politically motivated election promises, the GPO supports
   policies and investments that will increase efficiency, spur
   innovation, and lead to sustainability for Ontario. Schreiner cited
   the cancellation of the Mississauga gas plant, the off shore wind
   moratorium and the new Highway 7 announcement in Kitchener-Waterloo as
   costly, unplanned examples of short-term thinking that puts political
   party interest ahead of good public policy.

   “I am committed to providing principled, positive and practical
   solutions and practicing a new kind of politics that moves beyond
   cynical political games,” says Schreiner. “Transportation and
   infrastructure initiatives like new highways need careful planning and
   shouldn’t be part of an election-promises goodie bag.”

   LOVE IT PROTECT IT

   The GPO will continue it efforts to protect Ontario’s most treasured
   natural assets. The GPO is currently petitioning the government to
   make Wolf Lake in Temagami a provincial park, is fighting to protect
   prime farmland and clean water from quarries, and is pushing for a
   sustainable development plan that respects First Nation’s rights in
   the Ring of Fire.

   “The GPO will fight to protect our valuable natural assets,” pledges
   Schreiner. “We raised the alarm about threats to environmental
   protections in the budget and will continue to push forward policies
   that enrich our natural assets.” Rebecca H

   Green Party of Ontario
   PO Box 1132
   Toronto, ON M4Y 2T8
   Canada

2. 

   Drew Davidson

   August 16, 2012

   This afternoon, Education Minister Laurel Broten announced that Ontario intends to introduce legislation that, if passed, would put students and families first by ensuring education funding stays in the classroom and the next two school years are free from labour disruptions.
   Ontario intends to introduce legislation that, if passed, would put students and families first by ensuring education funding stays in the classroom and the next two school years are free from labour disruptions.

   The Putting Students First Act, if passed, would require that school boards and local bargaining units of teachers and support staff accept agreements consistent with the government’s fiscal and policy priorities. These priorities include maintaining investments in full-day kindergarten, keeping class sizes small, and protecting funds earmarked for the classroom.

   The Memorandum of Understanding between the government and the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) is an example of such an agreement. The legislation, if passed, would take effect Sept. 1 and therefore would also prevent automatic pay increases for teachers if current contracts roll over as scheduled on Aug. 31.

   It would be required, under the proposed act, that any increases paid to teachers and staff before the legislation passes be paid back. The proposed legislation, if passed, would save the province $250 million in 2012-13, growing to $540 million in 2013-14. In addition, the province would achieve one-time savings of $1.4 billion with the elimination of banked sick days. These savings would be found while continuing to support student achievement and protect full-day kindergarten, smaller class sizes, and 20,000 teaching and support staff jobs.

   Eliminating Ontario’s deficit is the single most important step toward growing the economy, protecting and creating jobs, and preserving significant gains made in education. The McGuinty government remains committed to working with all of its partners in education to eliminate the deficit while continuing to protect the classroom experience.

   “Since February, when talks first began, we have been firm but fair; focused but flexible and unwavering in our commitment to reach labour agreements that protect the gains we have made in education. By introducing legislation, we are taking an important step toward giving certainty to students and families that school will start on time and uninterrupted.” – Laurel Broten, Minister of Education

   • The government has already signed agreements with OECTA and the Association des Enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens , which together represent more than half of Ontario’s school boards and 55,000 teachers.
   • The government has also signed an agreement with the Association of Professional Student Services Personnel.
   • The proposed legislation also covers employees who do not bargain collectively, including principals, vice-principals and school board staff.
   • If existing contracts were to automatically roll over on Sept. 1, the cost of teachers moving up the grid and for continuing the existing retirement gratuity and sick leave provisions would be $473 million.
   • Learn more about the Putting Students First Act.
   • Read here for a timeline about ongoing labour discussions.

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