May 12, 2006 Highlights

On this page:

1. Bill 78, the Education Statute Amendment Act (Student Performance) 2006
2. Government Accused of Handing Control of College to Teacher Unions
3. Resignation of Gerard Kennedy Expected
4. NDP Education Critic Seeks Update on Safe Schools Act
5. People for Education release Annual Report

1. Bill 78, the Education Statute Amendment Act (Student Performance) 2006

On May 8 and 9, the Standing Committee on Social Policy held public hearings on Bill 78, the legislation that proposes to establish a teacher induction program, expand the government’s regulatory authority over school boards, and reform the Ontario College of Teachers. 

 The hearings will continue on May 15 and the committee will consider amendments on May 16.  ETFO appeared before the committee on May 8.  A copy of the federation’s submission is available on the ETFO website: Bill 78 Brief to Standing Committee Social Policy.pdf

 2. Government Accused of Handing Control of College to Teacher Unions

On May 4, former NDP Education Minister Dave Cooke appeared on TVO’s Studio 2 political panel and argued that Bill 78’s proposal to increase the number of elected members on the governing council was effectively giving the teacher federations control of the College.  The other politician panellists, all former education ministers, concurred.  Mr. Cooke is making this claim because there will be a majority of teachers, who are also union members, on the restructured body.

 On May 8, Toronto Star columnist Ian Urquhart referred to comments by former College registrars Margaret Wilson and Joe Atkinson that supported Mr. Cooke’s claim.

On May 8, PC Education Critic Frank Klees pointed to these comments and asked Education Minister Sandra Pupatello to respond.  In her response she pointed to a presentation from the College Chair, Marilyn Lafromboise who was requested to appear before the Legislature’s Standing Committee on Estimates. Ms. Lafromboise responded directly to the accusations and strongly refuted the suggestion that there are problems with teachers having a majority on the College with respect to the issue of conflict of interest.  The Minister stated: 

“What was very interesting was that that opportunity provided this member opposite with no more fodder because all of this hullabaloo that you were trying to purport is in this bill around the college is simply not the fact.”

In response to a supplementary question from Mr. Klees, the Minister stated: 

“I do notice that it hasn't taken long for this member to get back to the old days of that government bashing teachers. I will stand very proudly and say that we are in serious work, in partnership with the teaching profession, to make changes to our education system, for one good reason: the betterment of our students. That's the difference between your government and your history and ours."

“You know full well that our bill significantly addresses the concept of conflict of interest at the college. I would ask this member opposite why it is that you're happy to see that nurses, in fact, make up 54% of their college or that social workers make up 66% of their college. What have you got against teachers? Why do you continue to bash teachers at every opportunity?"

“We will stand for a college that protects the public interest, and that's what Bill 78 does."

3. Resignation of Gerard Kennedy Expected

Both Opposition parties raised the absence of MPP Gerard Kennedy from the Legislature due to his participation in the federal Liberal leadership.  On May 9, in response to a question from NDP Leader Howard Hampton, the Premier came to Mr. Kennedy’s defence:

“He has always worked long and hard on behalf of his constituents, and he has indicated very clearly that he will, at some point in time, resign, but that is a matter for careful consideration by Mr. Kennedy and his constituents.”

Although Mr. Kennedy’s campaign had released a news release stating his on-going commitment to his constituents, it is anticipated that he may have to respond to the political pressure and resign his seat sooner than planned.  The Premier must call a byelection within six months of his resignation.

4. NDP Education Critic Seeks Update on Safe Schools Act

On May 9, NDP Education Critic Rosario Marchese pressed the Minister for the status of the government’s review of the Safe Schools Act.  The Minister replied: 

“That review has been done. It invited literally hundreds of participants to speak to us about what the issues were with this act. We believe that it has caused a tremendous amount of difficulty for vice-principals, for teachers, for all of the supports in schools, in how to deal with our students. We know that now that we've received all of these submissions, a special task force, which we have had in place for at least a year, is now doing a review and is preparing a final report that I should be receiving very shortly. We intend to act on that very quickly.”

5. People for Education Release Annual Report

On May 10, the Toronto-based parent advocacy organization, People for Education released its first annual report on public elementary and secondary education.  Key findings of the report include:

• Because of funding increases, class sizes are smaller, there are more special education teachers, and more elementary students have access to physical education teachers.
• There are more students who need the extra support not getting assistance they need from special education or English-as-a-Second-Language programs.
• The structural problems in the funding formula, that continues the gap between the grants and what specific programs and resources cost, continue to be a serious problem.
• The percentage of the number of grade 6 students reporting they like to read has declined significantly since 2000.
• Only 6% of grade 7 and 8 students have Design and Technology courses compared to 22% in 1999.
• Parent fundraising continues to increase.

A copy of the report is available on the organization’s website:

http://www.peopleforeducation.com/OPSReports/annual06.pdf

6. Municipal Term Extended to Four Years

On May 10, Bill 81, the Budget Measures Act, 2006 received Third Reading.  Included in the bill is a provision that extends the term of office for those elected to municipal governments from three to four years.  The change will apply to the November 2006 municipal elections.

There is not universal support for the change in the municipal term.  Opposition members criticized the government for hiding the changes in a budget bill and not allowing sufficient public debate and scrutiny.

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