QUEEN’S PARK — In question period at the legislature today, NDP MPP for Kitchener Centre, Laura Mae Lindo, said the Ford government’s attack on education is a raw deal for students and teachers in Guelph, where the Upper Grand District School Board to issue 54 layoffs to elementary teachers — and Doug Ford's cuts to education are putting those jobs, and more, at risk.
The 54 layoffs, a direct result of reduced education funding from the Conservatives as well as Ford’s cuts to the autism program, will mean fewer adults in every school, more students in every class, and fewer program options for students. The provincial budget could allow the school board to reverse these layoffs, but a cut in the provincial budget could make things even worse.
“Students, teachers and education workers will suffer from Ford’s education cuts — marginalized students especially,” said Lindo. “Not only will this lead to larger class sizes, but it will also mean that Guelph's students will have fewer options. Less opportunity to take music classes, to excel in technology courses, or to explore their gifts in the arts.
"Guelph's children deserve more opportunities to find their strengths, not to have those opportunities taken away from them."
Doug Ford has announced a $1-billion cut to education over four years, cutting about 10,000 teachers and hiking class sizes.