Social issues, classroom politics take centre stage at all-candidates … – Guelph Mercury
GUELPH — Social issues may have been the prevailing theme of Wednesday’s all-candidates meeting, but it was the thorny issues of Ontario’s teachers that created the most buzz.
Roughly 300 people attended the meeting at the Italian Canadian Club, the final Guelph all-candidates forum before the provincial election on June 12.
Pipelines, affordable housing, sustainable agriculture, poverty elimination, hydro rates and education reform that includes an increased First Nations perspective were all issues lobbed up from the audience.
But when the subject turned to unions and teachers, things got a little heated and a lot more interesting.
“It’s hot in here, eh? Well, it is now,” Progressive Conservative party candidate Anthony MacDonald said when a questioner asked the five candidates in attendance if their party would work with unions.
The Tory platform includes increased class sizes, fewer teachers and the elimination of wage increases. Teachers’ unions have urged its members to vote against the Progressive Conservatives.
MacDonald chose to comment on the Liberals’ past dealings with teachers rather than focus on potential future dealings his party, if elected, might have.
“It’s a tough subject for me. My party has not been in bed with any union for quite some time,” MacDonald said. “But it isn’t right when something is forced on you. I don’t like it and I never will like it.”
