ETFO Says Lecce Is Trying To Bribe Parents

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario says that the special funding from the Ford Government for parents impacted by job action is an attempt to bribe parents.

“This is a transparent attempt to bribe the public to support the government,” says ETFO president Sam Hammond, “Doug Ford’s Education Minister (Stephen) Lecce is trying to cover up the fact that this government is making massive cuts to public education and wants more cuts to elementary education at the bargaining table.”

Hammond goes on to say that this is the first time in over 20 years that all four major education unions in Ontario have moved into a strike position at the same time.

“A responsible education minister would put his money into public education funding as part of contract talks .These funds could be providing the $50-$80 million that ETFO has proposed to support students with special needs.”

The union boss adds that the government has not set any dates for contract talks since December 19th, and that they believe Premier Ford and Minister Lecce have no intention of reaching a deal that addresses serious issues for students, student learning and educators.

Hammond suggests that the Ford Government’s goal is to gut public education funding and punish educators.

Jill Dunlop is the Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues, and says that the government will continue to support parents during this time of union-caused uncertainty.