Fight to protect schools just getting started

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/09/2021 (614 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For many months parents, teachers and community members in Fort Rouge have opposed the Progressive Conservative government’s cuts to our education system and Bill 64.

Our NDP caucus fought that legislation with everything we could. Last spring we used our power as the official Opposition to delay Bill 64. We knew it was the wrong approach for our kids and our schools. Because of this delay, caregivers, school staff and communities had time to learn about the bill and make their voices heard. Together not only did we fight back – we won, at least for now.

The government has announced its intention to withdraw Bill 64. Thank you for doing your part in this fight. Bill 64 looks defeated, as well as four others bills – 16, 35, 57, and 40.

These bad PC bills would have made Hydro more expensive, taken away workers’ rights, hurt the fight on addictions and taken away the right to peacefully protest. We’re glad our delay helped Manitobans like you. With your help, we are making a difference as the Opposition. Let’s keep fighting and building a better Manitoba together.

But let’s be clear, the PCs still plan to cut schools -– they cut $5 million from the K-12 system this year. So the fight is not over.

What’s worse, we know that because they passed another law, Bill 71, earlier this year, they will be cutting almost a quarter billion from revenues for our schools this year. That will increase to a cut of almost half a billion next year.

When you think of the damage those cuts will do to schools – less one-on-one time for kids with their teachers, fewer educational assistants to help kids who need it, less nutritional programs to help every kid focus on learning – it’s clear that defeating Bill 64 was only the start. We have to keep working to protect our schools both in Fort Rouge and across the province.

To share your concerns about PC cuts to school, contact my office at (204) 615-1922 or email me at Wab.kinew@yourmanitoba.ca

Wab Kinew
Fort Rouge constituency report

Wab Kinew is the NDP MLA for Fort Rouge and leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party.

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