Pasma urges Ford and Calandra to ensure stability for students and bargain in good faith with educators

QUEEN’S PARK – NDP Shadow Minister of Education MPP Chandra Pasma (Ottawa West – Nepean) released the following statement in response to education workers and teachers raising concerns about chronic underfunding and serving notice to bargain:

“The Ford government has created a crisis in our schools by cutting $6.4 billion in funding. Students, parents, teachers, and education workers have clearly outlined what this means for students: they are in large classes, receiving less support, in schools that aren’t safe.

“Teachers and education workers have been saying for months that they are ready to address these issues at the bargaining table, ready to work with the government to achieve better learning and working conditions for our kids and the caring adults who support them every day.

“So far, the Minister has refused to come to the table and start bargaining in good faith. Now is the time for him to do that. Ontario students can’t afford more chaos and more cuts. The Ford government should immediately invest in our schools and work with educators to develop fair contracts that address the many challenges in education today.”