Sid Ryan Calls Bill115 "Nothing But Crass Politics"
Channel: OFL Comms
Date: 06/09/2012

Stealing a page out of Tim Hudak's failed "Change Book," Premier Dalton McGuinty made a cynical electoral play when he decided to try to vilify school teachers and educational workers. OFL President Sid Ryan presented on the McGuinty government's controversial anti-worker bill and warned that trampling workers' rights will cost the Premier a majority.

In 2011, the self-styled "Education Premier" solicited campaign support from various teachers' unions on the pledge that he would "respect the bargaining process" and wouldn't "tear up collective agreements." However, August 27, 2012, the McGuinty Government introduced Bill 115 Putting Students First Act, 2012, which seeks to do just that. The bill is part of a cynical Liberal strategy to try to win two by-elections on September 6 by driving a wedge between parents and educational workers.

"McGuinty gambled that he could win an election through the politics of division, but he failed to appreciate that educational workers are the heart and soul of our schools and they are a big part of any community," said Ryan. "Time and again, voters have said they don't want another Tory majority ... not under Hudak and certainly not under McGuinty."