The premier of Ontario said she has no plans to immerse herself in the current contract talks between the province and high school teachers at some Ontario school boards, including Halton public, despite talks having broken off at the provincial level, with the potential for a strike or lockout looming.
“We’re going to let that process unfold without any interference from me in the media. It’s not helpful,” Kathleen Wynne told the Post in an interview today at Rattlsenake Point Golf Club in Milton.
The three area Liberal MPPs, Eleanor McMahon of Burlington, Kevin Flynn of Oakville and Indira Naidoo-Harris of the Halton riding, also sat in on the interview.
Wynne had addressed members of three area chambers of commerce earlier this afternoon.
In a wide-ranging one-on-one discussion, Wynne said she hasn’t wavered from statements she made last year that there isn’t any more money for pay increases in the education sector, even though teachers and school support staff in the province haven’t received a raise in almost three years.
“I was minister of education two (contract) rounds ago. I know how important it is to have a collective bargaining process. I was very clear when we brought in last year’s budget that there was no new money for wages and benefits.
“Everyone knew going into this round that was the case and that we needed a net zero,” impact on the government’s budget, “and that any increases would have to found within the education envelope,” she said.
“We’ve got a new process in place where everyone has a clear role at the (central bargaining) table. That was one of the things missing in the last round. We have to let the collective bargaining process play out at the table. We knew it was going to be tough. I have a lot of faith in the collective bargaining process,” said Wynne.
Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn said a “top mediator” is working behind the scenes to try to get the two sides back negotiating.
The bargaining team for the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation walked away from contract talks on April 14 claiming the government wasn’t serious about negotiating.
All teacher contracts expired in August 2014.
However, talks between school boards and local OSSTF reps, including at the Halton District School Board, continue.
“… I hope it happens without any labour unrest. I really hope there is a plan to come back to the (bargaining) table,” Wynne said of high school teachers.
As for the provincial Liberals’ upcoming budget, to be revealed on April 23, two days after the federal budget is tabled, Wynne said it will address several pressing areas of concern.
“Our budget is going to reflect the plan that what we ran on” in the June 2014 election.… it's implementing the plan that has infrastructure investment and investment in people and their talent and skills, and partnering with business creating the (proper) business environment…. those are the things that are critical to our plan.”
Wynne said the intention to sell 60 per cent of the government’s ownership of the Hydro One transmission utility, plus a plan to allow the sale of beer in supermarkets, will give them the means to invest funds where they are needed.
“I talked today about the importance of the decision around Hydro One and around alcohol distribution as part of the (government) asset review that will allow us to realize $4 billion to invest in roads and bridges and transit.
“So you’re going to see those things at the heart of our budget, but balanced with our understanding that we have to eliminate the deficit by 2017-18. We’re on track to do that,” said Wynne.
The government’s revised projected budget deficit for 2014-15 is $10.9B, down from $12.5B predicted last year.
“I have been very clear that I see our fiscal health underpinning all the investment that we can make in our economic well being in the future.”
“… making sure we deal with people’s financial well being and their ability to find jobs, their ability to train to get the skills that they need, but at the same time we have to make sure that their healthcare services are in place.
“… I had at least three people come up to me today talking about mental health concerns…. We’re not going to walk away from those commitments because that is part of the economy as well,” said Wynne.
The premier noted she created the position of treasury board president as part of a review of all government services and spending.
“The federal government has a choice right now as they go into their budget,” to be revealed on April 21. “They have the choice to make the kinds of investments across the country that we know we need.
“Joe Oliver has been lambasting us because we are making exactly the same investments that they won’t step up and make,” Wynne said, referring to the federal finance minister and the ongoing issue of needed infrastructure spending.
“I’ve been calling for the federal government to partner with us (Ontario) so we can compete in the global economy.”
As far as Halton’s cramped and outdated courthouses in Milton and Burlington, and its overused services — which has prompted judges and lawyers to lambaste the province for not investing in newer, larger facilities — Wynne said she is well aware of the dire situation.
“All of my colleagues have had a tour of the courthouses and I’m very aware that there are safety and space concerns.
“Madeleine Meilleur (Ontario Attorney General) is very aware of this and it is a high priority…. My understanding is it is an issue that is close to top.”
The Greenbelt also was a topic of discussion. It is about 1.8 million acres of protected land, including prime farmland, that runs through and around populated regions of southern Ontario
There is an ongoing review of the Greenbelt Plan as well as land use plans for the Niagara Escarpment, Oak Ridges Moraine and the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Some rural landowners want to know what their rights will be in terms of the use, and the possible development, of their land within the Greenbelt zone.
“We want to listen to the people who live in those communities and are directly affected by it (land use protocols and restrictions).
“The mayors in this region have very strong opinions about this, particularly (Oakville) Mayor Burton,” said Wynne.
The premier said she has been hearing people’s opinions about Greenbelt development for the past 2 ½ years.
The premier’s office said the results of the Greenbelt review will be out this fall.
------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Detail Link :
http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/5564410-ontario-premier-says-she-won-t-get-involved-in-high-school-teachers-contract-talks/