Maples families concerned by Bill 64

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This article was published 15/04/2021 (776 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba educators have continued to show up for children in such significant ways, irrespective of the immense challenges they have faced in their personal and professional lives. We thank educators for their continued efforts in the classroom for all Manitoba children. 

Educators deserve a government that matches these efforts. Even before the pandemic, educators wanted more investment into the improvement of schools by making class sizes smaller, increase mental health supports for kids in crisis, and develop stronger supports for kids with additional needs.

Maples constituents feel that the Pallister government is taking a step backward in education by centralizing decision-making through Bill 64 – The Education Modernization Act. This bill creates a completely new governance model for education in the province.

Bill 64 overhauls Manitoba’s public education funding model, interferes in collective bargaining units for educators and school staff, and lays the groundwork for deep service cuts and layoffs at schools. Decision-making at the local level will become centralized just to fit the plan of this government.

We know that keeping local voices at the decision-making table is essential to our democracy. Manitoba educators and families know best what their divisions need, and it is imperative that these voices continue to be held at a high regard.

It is no surprise that thousands of parents across Manitoba jointly signed a letter to the Pallister government stating that Bill 64 will completely dismantle the education system.

The letter notes that poverty and socio-economic factors play a larger role in student success. Bill 64 does not mention poverty once, which shows this government does not acknowledge the barriers children face who live in poverty when accessing education.

My colleagues and I used legislative powers to delay Bill 64, so that educators and families have time to learn about the bill and let the government know their concerns and their ideas.

If anyone in the community would like to speak to the public committee this fall on Bill 64, please call 204 945-3636 to register, and visit the Manitoba Legislative Assembly website to learn more. If you need help navigating this process at all, please reach out to my office.

If you have questions and insights about Bill 64, do not hesitate to contact my office, our constituency office is located at 103-1730 Leila Avenue. Call 204-417-3486 or email mintu.sandhu@yourmanitoba.ca

Mintu Sandhu
The Maples constituency report

Mintu Sandhu is the NDP MLA for The Maples.

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