Opening Statement



Sunday 10 March 2013

OECTA AGM: NDP's Andrea Horwath speaks!




  The NDP leader gave a spirited, enthusiastic and very well received speech at our OECTA AGM. She noted that not a single NDP member voted for Bill 115. She noted she went to Catholic school and so did her children.  She recognizes the good work done our teachers have done. She brought up the hypocrisy of corporate tax cuts while working families struggle. Emphasis was brought to bear on how standardized testing is now being questioned even in the USA. Most importantly, teachers should not be used as political pawns.



Summary: A direct and punchy performance that stuck to the NDP's main points at QP. Andrea was confident and a received a very heartfelt and sustained standing ovation. There was a strong sense of movement and momentum about her presence unlike during Premier Wynne's speech yesterday. 



Of course, being in opposition Andrea can say +  promise anything. Still I am pleased with a strong NDP party picking up the slack at QP as Hudak goes on the teacher offensive, and ETFO + OSSTF fail to have their concerns addressed.  Also the OLP's "gun to the head" success in securing the OECTA MOU means we can't let them treat us with such disrespect and disregard, whatever they might say to the contrary!  Wynne can't continue to rest on her laurels. I am glad to see Andrea holding her butt to the fire. Enough warm pleasantries and memories. She's the premier now. So far all I hear is words.
Go Andrea go!



OECTA's Chris Karuhanga thanks Andrea on the delegates behalf.

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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good for Andrea. It is time for the teachers unions to move away from the Liberal Party. They have proven that they do not understand collective bargaining and have not learned their lesson.

Anonymous said...

Horvath should keep her mouth shut about 115 now, just like she kept her mouth shut until Hudak supported it. Her silence (and that of every NDP MPP) spoke volumes and for her to now brag about how no NDP member voted for it is disingenuous. And what about the budget she supported? As for Wynne, how OECTA members could give her a standing ovation is beyond me. Polite applause, sure. But a standing ovation? She will build relationships with teachers for as long as she can and when she can't, she'll legislate it.

Anonymous said...

Hmmmmmmmm, interesting events at OECTA, standing ovation for Wynne who was part of voting for bill 115?????? What are your members thinking? Do they live in Ontario? I have never supported defunding of Catholic schools, but I do now!

Anonymous said...

No one elected Wynne as premier either. Only her Liberal party delegates.

ETFO Steve said...

Horvath and her party were in a position where even if they were for Bill 115 they could vote against it and it would still pass. NDP votes were moot on this one. I wondered when she would start playing the "We voted against it" card. Playing both sides of the fence does not impress me. She needs to bring considerably more to the table if she wants my support.

Anonymous said...

Andrea spoke with passion and reason. Her support for teachers against the anti-democratic Bill 115. Her 3 standing ovations were earned.

Skinny Dipper said...

I have to agree with ETFO Steve. There are times when Andrea Horwath conveniently supports the teachers; there are other times when her actions go against the teachers. Andrea Horwath and her fellow NDP MPPs supported the Liberal budget which hurt teachers. Her party was able to oppose Bill 115 because the Conservatives supported it. The NDP's opposition wouldn't have helped dissolve the legislature.

Now that Andrea Horwath has set her priorities for the NDP and the current legislative session, she and her party continues her silence about the teachers. Auto insurance seems to rank higher than labour rights.

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