The Editor,
As a Richmond resident, taxpayer, voter and experienced educator (Vancouver) who loves to teach and coach, I am quickly becoming disgusted by the current government’s lack of leadership and empty, inaccurate rhetoric coupled with its obvious intent to keep the province’s half million children and their teachers locked out of school for a second year now.
If the current Premier had any leadership and integrity, she would have fired her “nogotiating” team for its intransigent position and sheer unwillingness to meet the BCTF in earnest, meet halfway and get the deal done before Labour Day. (After three weeks of attempts by Jim Iker to meet with Mr. Cameron, they met only once this summer: Aug. 8).
The so-called Minister of Education, Peter Fassbender, has only shown his true colours and proven to us, the people of British Columbia, the taxpayers who continue to pay his six figure salary while public schools are shut down for a second consecutive year, that he puts little value in public education.
Nor is Ms. Clark putting “families first” as she appears to condone locking out a half million children from school for an unlimited time — will school start in October perhaps?
This is both immoral and outrageous in a province and country as wealthy as ours. This government should be ashamed of itself and just resign.
Dear parents and students, you need to rise up in indignation and anger at what the government is inflicting upon yourselves.
From my perspective, the current government’s insistence upon the E-80 escape clause in case their appeal is ruled in favour of this province’s educators is the main stumbling block that is preventing the signing of a deal.
Show some goodwill toward the teachers of B.C., get rid of the E-80 clause, add a bit more money and you will see an agreement take place. Simple math; simple politics in a healthy society.
Failing that, I believe it is time to start a recall campaign of our Liberal MLAs for services not rendered. We all pay our taxes and expect basic services such as health and education. I am truly fed up with the lack of leadership or goodwill and the sheer incompetence of this government. Ms. Clark, Mr. Fassbender and all other Liberal MLAs, hang your heads in shame as you have given us nothing short of a colossal failure in public education.
Negotiate in earnest now or step down!
Robert Riddell
Richmond
