UCP leadership candidates get an earful from Alberta Teachers' Association at Banff event
Wednesday, Alberta teachers had their say on the future of provincial education and they let the candidates hoping to become the next UCP leader know how they felt.
They grilled leadership candidates on their plans for education.
The candidates had some hits and misses, and by the end, skeptical teachers said it is actions that will rebuild trust that's been lost between them and the United Conservatives.
That much was acknowledged by UCP leadership hopeful Todd Loewen, who said, "It sounds like maybe an understatement.
"The last time there was any real communication was February 2021," he added, "and that's too long."
From the widely-reviled K to six curriculum rewrite to pension fund changes, the list of grievances is long.
Alberta Teacher Association president Jason Schilling said the UCP has "failed students and failed teachers" Wednesday
"They’ve failed public education," said Alberta Teachers Association president Jason Schilling. "They've failed students, they've failed teachers and they've failed the school communities.
"Teachers have not been consulted on curriculum. They've not been consulted on the pension deal that happened in 2019."
Along with promises of improved consultation and respect, there was also an acknowledgement from various candidates that school boards need more stable funding models.
"Funding must be relative to population growth, inflation (and) guided by enrollment," said Leela Aheer.
Brian Jean suggested "ideology" needed to be removed from the classroom, while also acknowledging problems with the new curriculum rollout.
"We can slow this down," Jean said, "and in September we can have a better curriculum and we have to re-evaluate it at this time, but folks the ATA should not be the enemy of the Government of Alberta."
By a show of hands, the crowd came mostly from school boards in traditionally conservative rural ridings, but nevertheless, at times hard feelings in the crowd rose to the surface.
Danielle Smith was heckled by the audience while attempting to criticize the province's math curriculum.
"Respect is a two way street guys," Smith said.
"That's what we've been asking for," said an audience member.
Smith and Jean are the front-runners in the race, with Travis Toews, who missed the event due to a scheduling conflict, also drawing significant support.
It's difficult to say how badly any of the candidates need teacher support to win.
"So the Conservatives sit back and go, well, we really don't need to worry about them (teachers)," said MRU political scientist Keith Brownsey.
"They (the teachers) may not like curriculum," he added, "but this is what our (political) base wants."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
ArriveCan contractor to be admonished by MPs in extraordinarily rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.