I wrote this a while ago… but the opportunity to repost it seemed appropriate. There is also a group devoted to this: https://facebook/BCcivics?ref=ts&fref=ts AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL BRITISH COLUMBIANS The British Columbia Teacher’s Federation (BCTF) has had two BC Supreme Court victories over the last 12 years, and still the government deems itself exempt from the rule of law. Rather than abiding by these court rulings, restoring adequate funding, and bargaining in good faith, the BC Liberal Government has decided to appeal the BC Supreme Court ruling. They then decided to impose a partial lockout in addition to deducting 10% of teacher’s pay for their right to voice their dissatisfaction with learning and teaching conditions throughout this labour dispute, and threatened to impose a further lockout for the last three days of the school year at the secondary level and one day at the elementary level. The BC Liberal Government removed teacher’s rights to bargain, regarding learning and working conditions, by enacting Bills 27 and 28. This action has since been deemed by the Supreme Court of BC to be a violation of Charter Rights, which are entrenched within the Canadian Constitution. Furthermore, seemingly unfettered and relatively unconcerned by the illegality of this legislation, the BC Liberal Government enacted Bill 22, once again another Machiavellian move… removing class composition, amongst other issues for consideration. This, by the way, was accomplished without any purposeful dialogue with BC Teachers and other educational stakeholders. Madame Justice Griffin ruled that the BC Liberal Government interfered with teachers’ collective bargaining rights and contravened Section 2(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees Freedom of Association. Moreover, Madam Justice Griffin ruled that not only was Bill 22 unconstitutional, she also found that the BC Liberal Government was culpable of bargaining in bad faith, and chastised the BC Liberals of attempting to provoke a strike for political gain. When government can shred contracts and impose punitive legislation, and then usuriously manipulate the legal system to purposefully delay and wrongfully deflect any sort of justice and fairness, we have much more to be concerned about than an inconvenience to students and parents via a temporary work stoppage. It is up to us, as concerned citizens and as voters of the Province of British Columbia, to challenge this current government; we are NOT helpless, nor will we be silenced! My family came to Canada in 1965 because it is a democratic, pluralistic, egalitarian society where every Canadian is afforded an equal opportunity to manifest via self-actualization anything we desired to be. Canada provided a “level playing field” for every citizen… and, not simply for those with the financial means to succeed. It is accomplished via determination, hard work, and yes… a quality public education system. Have we lost those Canadian values? Are we headed towards the stratification of Canadian society with those that “have” and those that “have not?” This government must be held accountable… we do have a VOICE! They cannot simply do whatever they want. It’s time for a RECALL. The time is now. We must stand up and hold those in public office entrusted with the stewardship of our public education system to be accountable… this isn’t merely about negotiating “a fair deal with teachers” and “better support for students.” It’s about our system of democracy, adherence to the rule of law, and the betterment of public provisions/amenities/services that serve, protect, and enhance the quality of life for ALL British Columbians. Yes, it is time to hold the BC Liberal Government ACCOUNTABLE… and this is HOW we do it. elections.bc.ca/index.php/referenda-recall-initiative/recall/ Recall | Elections BC elections.bc.ca PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS VIA VARIOUS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 17:23:30 +0000
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