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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-10-09, Page 13Despite obvious strife betweenOntario’s Education Ministry andthe union representing the province’spublic elementary school teachers, the Elementary Teachers’Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has no deadline for launching labour action. But the union says it will take the removal of an “artificial” Ministry- imposed deadline before negotiators return to the table to iron out differences. “We have no intention of returning to the table,” proclaimed ETFO provincial president David Clegg, in advance of a planned visit to the Mitchell Golf and Country Club on Tuesday, Oct. 7. “The province has imposed what, in their mind, is a deadline of Nov. 30 for school boards to agree on collective agreements with their ETFO locals. But we don’t negotiate under artificial ultimatums.” Last June, facing the province- wide expiration of four-year collective agreements on Aug. 31, Clegg walked out of so-called “tripartite” talks among ETFO, theprovince, and the provincial lobbygroup for public school boards, theOntario Public School BoardsAssociation (OPSBA). The talks hadbeen modeled on negotiations set upunder former Education Minister (and now federal Liberal insider) Gerard Kennedy four years ago. “At that time, Minister Kennedy was very hands-on with the negotiations, telling us what he expected to see and where we needed to have discussion,” Clegg recalled. “And we worked very hard to resolve those issues.” The ETFO president described the resulting “provincial framework” as “historic.” But last spring, he says, without direct political influence, efforts to renew the framework stalled due to the Education Ministry’s refusal to discuss bringing elementary school pay rates in line with those of secondary school teachers. “We’ve got a premier who prides himself on fighting at the federal level for transfer payments so that Ontario will get equal treatment, yet his government is unwilling to talk about elementary teachers gettingequal treatment with their secondarypeers,” Clegg said.He also accused OPSBArepresentatives with aiming to turnback the clock on the issues ofbenefits packages and non-class supervision. “From (ETFO’s) perspective, what they were suggesting is that we revisit issues that had already been resolved in previous agreements.” These two issues are complicated, he admits, by the acceptance of similar provisions by the union representing Ontario’s Catholic elementary teachers. A provincial framework is, as a result, already in place as a template for negotiations between Catholic school boards and their elementary teachers. “They are free to agree to whatever they believe is in the best interests of their membership,” Clegg said. But he admitted it “undermines our members’ability to maintain what we have achieved in previous collective agreements.” In an effort to explain his provincial union’s position, Clegg has embarked on a province-wide tour to speak with union stewardsfrom every public elementary schoolin the province. Interviewed prior tohis Mitchell visit, he said it’spossible some proactive schoolboards may work to resolve thesupervision and benefits issues on a local level, despite the lack of a provincial framework. But he said it’s unlikely any collective agreements will be signed without the province reconsidering the disparity in per-pupil funding between elementary and secondary schools. “There was a $711 per student difference last year,” he explained. Effects of that disparity, he argues, include larger class sizes, lack of teaching resources, and the absence of specialized teachers from elementary environments. “We have many elementary schools that don’t have teacher- librarians on a full time basis,” he explained. “There are virtually no guidance counselors in elementary schools in Ontario.” On a local level, representatives from the Avon Maitland District School Board and its ETFO local are scheduled to have their first officialmeeting Friday, Oct. 10. Accordingto local president Merlin Leis, talksare “in the very preliminary stages,”but five meeting dates have beenscheduled between now and the endof November. Leis said “it’s very unlikely we’ll reach a settlement without a provincial framework.” At the Mitchell meeting, Clegg was to present a $500 cheque to the Optimism Place women’s shelter in Stratford. ETFO has a long- established position as a supporter of women’s shelters, on both the local and provincial levels. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2008. PAGE 13. Continued from page 12 to arts funding, such as the one proposed by the Harper Government, represents a direct assault on the local tourist sector. Mr. Harper announced cuts to the arts, then immediately announced a new tax credit designed to give certain people $500 per year if they would put their child in piano lessons. Unfortunately the tax credit does nothing to help our tourist industry and as such the overall package is unacceptable and directly harmful to our smallest communities, such like Blyth. As a North Huron councillor I have been supportive of our local arts community and as an MP I would continue to do the same. NDP:They are a draw for tourists and bring money into our community for meals, accommodation and even visitors to our farm. When I was a school board trustee I used to remind the board that our arts programs were more likely to lead to jobs and employment than our sports programs. But more than just the financial impact our arts and cultural activities are the way we tell and share our stories. They are the mirror by which we remind ourselves of who we are and what matters. G:We strongly oppose Bill C-10, a change to the Income Tax Act, giving government the right to deny tax credits to films or TV programs that they deem offensive or “contrary to public policy” With it, Harper’s Conservatives are undermining one of the historic cornerstones of Canadian democracy, that of arm’s length jurisdiction over Canadian cultural anc communications institutions. I:(See question 7 answer) 7.Why, when it’s been established that investment in the arts actually produces a net revenue would any government stop investing? CHP:See above C:The Conservative government provides $2.3 billion annually to arts and culture and has increased the funding by eight per cent over the previous Liberal government. The Conservatives committed $100 million to our national museums and national art centres to address operating and infrastructure pressures. The Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce received $94,800 in funding for Southampton’s 150th anniversary celebration. The activities included performances by local artists and musicians. L:Mr. Harper has governed his entire term with a short-term vision. Cutting the arts in the manner announced is more of the same. A Liberal administration would recognize that money invested in the arts represents real value in the communities of the region. NDP:It makes no sense. New Democrats will restore arts funding arbitrarily cut by the Harper Conservatives. We will increase public funding for the Canada Council for the Arts to better support artists and ensure we can produce high quality made-in-Canada shows for everyday Canadians to enjoy. For more detail visit http://www.ndp.ca/platform/otherpri orities/supportingculture G: The Tories have been on a cutting spree recently, chopping programs such as the PromArts. The $4.7-million program gave artists (such as the National Ballet company, grants to go abroad to promote Canadian culture and is set to end on March 31, 2009. The mayor of Toronto says: “You start cutting arts funding and those kinds of industries are at risk for two reasons. People who work in those industries want to live in vibrant cities; secondly, the arts industries are very significant on their own. There are about 140,000 direct jobs in Toronto in the creative industries.” People who are in the arts and travel are also goodwill ambassadors for Canada. I:I personally don’t know much about the arts but do know the Blyth Festival draws people into the area, which translates into money and that’s good for the local economy. I would think it’s only good business to continue to fund viable venture. 8.Will you commit to updating our anti-cruelty laws? Do you agree that Canada should support the international effort to achieve a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) at the United Nations? CHP:The Canadian government recently passed new animal protection laws. These should serve us well for now. I do not support the United Nations. It is a morally and financially corrupt organization without any redeeming features. I would not support any legislation that would restrict hunting in Canada. C:Penalties for existing animal cruelty offences should send a strong and clear message that animal cruelty is totally unacceptable in our society. On April 9 parliament passed Bill S-203 and Act to Amend the Criminal Code (cruelty to animals). Bill S-203 raises maximum penalties with a more serious existing offence of animal cruelty for five years and gives judges discretion to order as part of a sentence that a convicted offender be prohibited to owning or having custody, control or residing in the same premises for any length of time that the court considers appropriate. The passage of this bill does not prevent a future government from making additional changed in the future. S-203 was a step in the right direction. It improves upon existing legislation and delivers an added measure of protection for animals. L:I believe that there is never a time when it is acceptable to abuse an animal. With that in mind, I would support anti-cruelty laws that promote effective and severe punishments for people who abuse animals. I would also require that those same laws recognize the importance and the legitimacy of the agriculture and outdoors communities. I believe that hunting, fishing, trapping and farming represent important heritage activities/business that serve our communities well both from an industry and stewardship perspective and I would ensure that responsible participants in those industries have the full protection under the law. At the same time, those who opt to mistreat animals must be dealt with severely. NDP:I will commit to updating anti-cruelty laws but I will want to look at any update to ensure that they are not the work of radical animal rights groups. In this riding we have had the experience of the “Animal Alliance” interfering in our elections through a front organization “environmental voters” when they endorsed a Liberal Candidate in literature they postal walked across the whole riding. I am skeptical of groups that seek to push their agenda through secrecy and manipulation rather than open debate and discussion. As an organic farmer we work with standards designed to ensure that we treat our livestock well. Domestic animals and people have a long history together. We work with them as living creatures seeking to meet their needs for healthy feed, fresh air and exercise. I have visited the web site of the World Society for the Protection of Animals which is the group promoting the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare. I’d need more details than I found there and I would want to consult with my constituents before declaring support for this initiative. G:I would commit to updating our anti-cruelty laws. I also support the UDAW mandate that: “The Universal Declaration is an agreement among people and nations to recognize that animals are sentient beings and can suffer, to respect their welfare needs and to end animal cruelty — for good.” I:Not too familiar with UDAW, but again, I believe we are mandated by God to look after animals that He created. I would also point out that He put animals under humans on the food chain and yes, I do enjoy a good steak. As an MP I would be the voice of the people. What I think will always take a backseat to what the electorate wants. Reader seeks views on cuts to arts ETFO has no deadline for launching labour action October 8 The Small Business Report Card October 16 Guerrilla Marketing in a Virtual Jungle October 23 A Professional Panel of Experts October 30 “Bank” is NOT a Four Letter Word Visit our website for details, time and location www.smallbusinesshuron.ca Pre-register, please 519.527.0305 Bridges to Better Business Workshop series Sponsored by the County of Huron, the Ministry of Small Business & Consumer Services and the Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre Graduation Lisa-Marie Kelly, daughter of Giséle and the late Peter Kelly graduated June 12, 2008 from the University of Waterloo. Lisa received her Bachelor of Arts in Honours History, Legal Studies and Criminology with a Minor in Sociology. Lisa will continue her studies at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia towards her Masters in Education. We are all very proud of your accomplishments. Love, Greg, Mom, Giséle and Duane, Dave, Sarah and Laura. By Stew SlaterSpecial to The Citizen BE A FACE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER BECAUSE CANCER IS IN YOUR COMMUNITY, SO ARE WE. Your donation is needed to fund life-saving cancer research and vital support services for people living with cancer. Please give generously when a Canadian Cancer Society volunteer knocks at your door this April. www.cancer.ca HELP US MAKE CANCER HISTORY.