Youtube: OECTA Who Speaks for Children?

A tip of the hat to Vic + Cheryl at Government Relations. Keep up the great work for our kids!

OECTA TSU has forwarded member information for our "Who Speaks For Children?" Ontario provincial election campaign at Thursday's staff rep meet. Hopefully it will be distributed by the staff reps at your school asap. Other materials were also sent to them in a OECTA Provincial mailing last week. You may have seen the billboards. TSU's radio ads should be starting within the Toronto area very soon.

The above video has proven to be my most viewed post since last April. "Who Speaks For Children?" is a fine and tasteful campaign that reflects our teacher concerns as an education advocacy group. Did you know that the Tim Hudak's Provincial Conservatives have refused to meet with OECTA over the past two years while formulating their so called "education platform", unlike both the Ontario provincial Liberals and the NDP? It has been developed without any teacher input or consultation whatsoever! Obviously your expertise does not count for much when they determine our students' educational policy. Is this the type of Ontario you want?

Visit our provincial website http://speakforchildren.ca/ for more information on the parties educational plans. Ask yourself "Who speaks for children?".Then please make sure you get out there and help a good education friendly candidate win.

Please vote on Oct.6th. As Catholic educators we can make a difference!

Please see my original posting below for more information on why this election is so important for our profession, our students and out schools:

OECTA's Fall 2011 Provincial Election Campaign  is called: "Who Speaks for Children?" Quite frankly, the public isn't going to worry too much about a hostile Tory government going after our teacher contracts and pensions next year should Tim Hudak win. They do care about the quality of education their children receive from us. We know once Tim starts cutting, that will decline terribly, like during the Harris years. So we should be seen as the dedicated professionals that we are, speaking out for our students, in order to keep the respect and resources that we need to get the job done right.

As your previous TSU PAC [Political Advisory Committee] Executive Liaison, and a long term political activist, I worked with our TSU PAC over the past eleven years to actively help you lead the charge. OECTA Provincial is now rolling out it's full 2011 provincial election campaign. Contrary to what we might hear in the news, I believe this info video is actually very positive. It emphasizes what we as Catholic teachers look for in endorsing any political party or candidate, regardless of their political stripe. We are here for the students! Mr. Hudak, are you?

Please contact the TSU office, and/ or your TSU Staff rep if you would like more info. Ask your fellow teachers who taught during the Harris years what it was like! Let's get involved now before it is too late!

For more information on our OECTA TSU PAC election activities, see my directory located below the blogs. The June Post explains why our"TSU Rocks The Madison Pub" was such a big success. Those of you who filled out a survey form there, to help with the election, are being contacted by this year's PAC. Your staff reps will also have additional forms available at school. Please get involved and do your bit!