A 'Mini-Rally for Education' organized by the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) saw hundreds of people gather in downtown Moose Jaw to lobby Tim McLeod, MLA for Moose Jaw North and newly appointed cabinet minister, to use his influence to increase education spending.
"With a $500 million surplus, government is making a political choice to underfund public education, not an economic one,” said Nathan Bromm, STF Vice-President.
“We know that Minister McLeod has a lot of influence when it comes to government spending. We ask that he listen to the concerns of the parents and teachers we’ve heard from today, and families across the province whose kids are struggling with overcrowded schools, long wait times for support services and budget cuts that impact their classrooms. Teachers and parents are holding the system together for our kids, but our government is failing them. We need government to step up and do what’s right for the children of this province."
McLeod was appointed Minister for Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors, and Rural and Remote Health in a recent cabinet shuffle, and was previously the Provincial Secretary and Legislative Secretary to the Premier. His positions in government give him the ear of Premier Scott Moe and of fellow cabinet ministers such as Jeremy Cockrill, the new Minister of Education.
A media release by the STF said at least 500 people turned out to support the event. The release also noted that:
"In 2022-23 we saw Saskatchewan’s largest student enrolment increase in 20 years; and yet, the number of regular classroom teachers decreased. Between 2007-08 and 2018-19, 38 percent more students need intensive supports; but chronic underfunding and budget cuts have meant that fewer professionals are available, for example, there was a 13.5 percent reduction in psychologists between 2013 and 2022.
"Each year, government is investing a smaller portion of the provincial budget in public education, despite historic inflation and enrolment growth."
Kisanne Geis, the mother of a six-year-old with autism spectrum disorder, travelled from Assiniboia to speak at the rally.
"Our family has been struggling with Saskatchewan’s education system now for years and it’s time to speak up," Geis told attendees. "As parents, we have been doing everything we possibly can for our son, but not having access to appropriate support services, like occupational therapists right in the school, puts families like ours at a real disadvantage. Saskatchewan children need to be cared for and given the right tools to thrive. They deserve better.”
In response to a request for comment in anticipation of the rally, the Saskatchewan Party Caucus Office issued the following statement on behalf of McLeod and Greg Lawrence, the MLA for Moose Jaw Wakamow:
"Our government supports everyone's right to peaceful protest.
"The Government of Saskatchewan is providing school divisions with $2.08 billion in school operating funding for 2023-24 school year, an increase of $89.4 million or 4.5 per cent, over the 2022-23 school year. This includes an additional $40 million that was announced in June specifically to help support school divisions with enrolment growth and complexity of today’s classrooms.
"Furthermore, the Government Trustee Bargaining Committee remains committed to reaching an agreement that will best serve students, teachers and families, and looks forward to working with the STF to reach a fair deal for teachers."
Further STF rallies are planned for Humboldt, Saskatoon, and North Battleford, directed at more cabinet members:
- Humboldt – October 21 at 1 p.m. outside the offices of Minister Donna Harpauer
- Saskatoon – October 28 at 1 p.m. outside the office of Minister Paul Merriman
- North Battleford – November 4 at 1 p.m. outside the offices of Minister Jeremy Cockrill
More information on those rallies is available on the STF events webpage at www.stf.sk.ca/professional-resources/events-calendar/.
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