Smith: Students deserve better

Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith says teachers have broken a promise to not impact student learning by withdrawing services.

In an statement released today Smith says he “continues to stand against the service withdrawals”, which are continuing across the province as teachers unions and the province are stuck in a collective bargaining negotiation stalemate and that “students deserve better”.

He adds that the Progressive Conservative government will “continue to work with one focus – landing deals that keep students in class”.

You can read the full statement below:

“I continue to stand against the withdrawal of services to students in Hastings & Prince Edward County and Kawartha Pine Ridge School Board. Teacher union leaders broke their promise to not adversely impact student learning by withdrawing services for our kids, including extracurriculars, and report cards.  

We recognize the impact of union escalation on families is real. That’s why our government launched its Support for Parents initiative that puts money directly into the pockets of parents. The immense uptake of our Support for Parents initiative speaks volumes to the uncertainty and financial pressures that union-led strike action causes.

For decades, families have faced union job action far too often. Students deserve better, and most importantly, our government believes they deserve to be in class. We will continue our work with one focus: landing deals that keep students in class.”