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Fiery debate on the forced legislation of education workers hit an unbelievable moment in Queen’s Park today with 15 members of the NDP being ejected from the Legislature.
It came after NDP Interim Leader Peter Tabuns accused Premier Doug Ford of lying.
“Speaker, when will the Premier and his ministers stop lying about the damage they are doing to the education system.” When Speaker Ted Arnott asked Tabuns to withdraw his comment, he doubled down.
“I will not withdraw, I’m telling the truth…they’re lying.”
Tabuns was given one last opportunity to withdraw before he was kicked out of the Legislature followed by 14 other members including Thunder Bay – Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois. She later tweeted she was “honoured” by the removal.
Honoured to be removed from the legislature standing up for Charter Rights,human rights and the right to a living wage for education workers. If workers can’t afford to feed their own children they wind up leaving the work they love. Ford: get back to bargaining; kill this bill. https://t.co/NthF3leV79
— Lise Vaugeois, PhD (@LiseVaugeois) November 2, 2022
Several spectators in the gallery including, parents, teachers and other education workers were also removed.
In a heated press conference after Question Period, Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce told reporters the government would not negotiate with CUPE unless the strike threat was withdrawn.
A later press conference hosted by CUPE, representatives told media on Friday all 55 thousand education support workers would walk off the job until there was a deal.
In a letter to parents from the Lakehead Public School Board, officials with the board are reassuring parents that their schools will be open.
Dear Parents and Guardians, As you may be aware, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is currently engaged in provincial labour negotiations with the provincial government. CUPE members in our Board include custodial, maintenance, and some cafeteria workers. On Monday, October 31, 2022, CUPE gave notice that they will be commencing a province-wide political protest on Friday, November 4, 2022. While this is a provincial issue, it will affect our schools; however, our schools will remain open. Please be aware this remains a fluid and changing provincial situation. Lakehead Public Schools continues to monitor developments daily and decisions will be made accordingly. We will continue to provide you with accurate and timely information as we are able through the Board website and social media pages (Twitter/Facebook). As a Board, we value our CUPE staff and the work they do at all our sites and continue to hope for a settlement. Thank you for your understanding. Sincerely, Sherri-Lynne Pharand, Director of Education, and Ellen Chambers, Chair of Lakehead District School Board
This is a developing story and we will have more details as they become available.
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