Leaked Memo Suggests Provincial Payouts to Teachers’ Unions over $7.1M

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…

According to a memo addressed to the school boards in July, the education ministry alleged that they will receive a total of $4.6 million, on top of the controversial $2.5 million paid to the high school, Catholic and French-board teacher unions. So far, record shows that the province has spent more than $7.1 million on teachers’ unions and Ontario school boards this fall to help cover the costs of bargaining.

According to the spokesperson of Education Minister Liz Sandals, Alessandra Fusco, “school boards are funded by the province to deliver education across all four publicly funded systems and to manage one of the best systems in the world.” Fusco stated that “part of managing that system is the new provincial responsibility for labour relations under the School Board Collective Bargaining Act and the province is providing school boards funding to support that critical role.”

Meanwhile, the Liberal government is being heavily criticised over the millions being paid to education unions, no receipts required. Although Premier Wynne highlighted “there’s always a cost to negotiations,” Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown humorously alleged that that the Liberals’ are suggesting the funds went to pay for pizza and other meals. Brown questioned that “the pepperoni must be gold-plated,” as he asked “what was this money really for?” In addition to that, Brown highlighted that the education unions have bankrolled election attack ads against the Tories to help the Liberals in every campaign since 2003. However, Sandals replied to that and said that “you did it, too,” reminding them the PCs covered some negotiating expenses while in office.