Public hearings needed

Dear editor:
I am writing to voice my concern of, and draw attention to, the recent announcements of the Harris government regarding “parents choice” and “tax credits to private and religious schools.”
Once again, the Harris Tories are initiating programs which are designed to dismantle the public education system. Several weeks ago, Education minister Janet Ecker announced the Tories would be promoting the “parents’ choice” as to where they wish to send their children to the school of their choice (that scored the well in provincial standardized tests).
Once again, this is a southern Ontario bias that assumes there are several schools nearby.
One would argue it would be foolish for a parent to make this choice based solely on the results of a standardized test. Nevertheless, at the time of the announcement, it appeared to mean “choice” within the public school system.
About a week later, the minister of finance announced the government would provide tax credits, starting at $700 per student increasing to $3,500 over the next few years, to those parents who “chose” to send their children to private schools.
This credit will divert another $300 million per year away from public school boards at a time when they are struggling to run programs with the current funding formula.
The public school system was set up to provide all the children of Ontario, despite their religion or background, with an education with equal opportunities. Private and religious schools only provide services to those who can afford to attend, or those who qualify to attend (i.e., religion).
This initiative will lead to further segregation of our Ontario’s students. Furthermore, at a time when standardized testing and public accountability are the norm, private and religious schools are exempt from this scrutiny. Why the double standard?
So what is the “choice” that the Harris Tories are promoting? One must argue that the “choice” is for a well-funded public school system, or a segregated private school system subsidized with public money.
As none of these arrangements were part of the Tory election campaign, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation is seeking the support of parents, and community members, to oppose the use of public tax dollars to fund private and religious schools.
OSSTF believes there should be immediate public hearings on such a major shift in public policy.
I am encouraging supporters of the public school system write Mike Harris (Premier), Janet Ecker (Minister of Education), Jim Flaherty (Minister of Finance), Howard Hampton (NDP leader), and Lyn McLeod (Liberal MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan) to ask for public hearings and to voice your concerns regarding tax credits of public money to private and religious schools.
Signed,
Ed Ojala
President,
OSSTF 5B