April 21, 2006 Highlights

1. Bill 78, the Education Statute Amendment Act (Student Performance)

Second Reading debate of Bill 78 concluded on April 12.  The bill has been referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy for review.  The Committee will be holding public hearings on May 8, 9, and 15 at Queen’s Park.  ETFO has requested an opportunity to appear before the committee.

For a general overview of Bill 78, see the March 3, 2006 issue of Queen’s Park Highlights: QP Highlights - March 3, 2006

2. School Boards Pay Consultants to Lobby Provincial Government

On April 18 and 20, PC Education Critic Frank Klees pointed to media reports that the two Toronto school boards have spent $100,000 to hire a lobbyist to lobby the provincial government for more funding.  He asked the Minister of Education whether she thought such an expense was appropriate.

On April 20, Education Minister Sandra Pupatello replied:

“…, I think this member would agree that in all of the years that you were in fact part of the government, there was never such a flourishing of lobbyists around this place as under your years. I think that situation has changed significantly for one significant reason: When we became the government in 2003, I have to tell you that particularly in the area of education, we opened the doors. I think it's fair to say that … we have more partnership tables today, more working tables, more commissions, more reaching across all of the sectors of education to speak with each other and speak with the government than we have ever seen."

In his supplementary question, Mr. Klees argued that $100,000 could buy a lot of textbooks or go a long way to meet special education or ESL needs of students.

For more information, check the website of the Ontario Legislature: www.ontla.on.ca