As Saskatchewan teachers strike, government says it won't cross 'line in the sand'
Saskatchewan teachers hit the picket line on a frigid morning with temperatures hovering around -30 C and lower.
The walk-off Tuesday morning made good on the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation's (STF) pledge to strike for one-day to force the province expand contract talks to include a wider range of items, including class sizes and complexity.
"Hopefully it shows government that we're serious about this issue, and it gets them back to the table and having conversations and making long term commitments for our students and for our teachers around the province," STF president Samantha Becotte said from a picket line near the Saskatchewan legislature early Tuesday morning.
"It's going to be a really positive day," Becotte said.
The STF announced the strike last week, calling on the government to discuss matters such as the number of students in each classroom and how students with significant needs are supported.
The items are something the province is adamant don’t belong at the bargaining table despite an independent conciliator's report indicating it would not be inappropriate to discuss those concerns while negotiating a new contract.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said the government is firm in its opinion that the issues don't belong in a contract.
"That's a line in the sand for government that that we're not going to be moving on. We again believe classroom size, complexity are best dealt with by school divisions locally led school divisions, 27 of them all around the province in a diverse range of communities, size and demographics," Cockrill said.
He referenced a pair of short-term trial projects announced last week ahead of the STF's strike notice, one creating a handful of specialized "support" classrooms and the other inviting teachers to pitch ideas to improve education.
"I understand there's been some criticism on the pilot projects that we announced last week, but I think that's starting to show the government knows that there's issues and is willing to work on them," Cockrill said.
"I think there's a really great opportunity for for teachers to have a direct voice and how we address class size complexity through that pilot fund, and I look forward to seeing some of the ideas there."
Around 10 a.m., Becotte and Canadian Teachers’ Federation president Heidi Yetman deilivered letters to the legislature addressed to Premier Scott Moe and Saskatchewan Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill.
Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation president Samantha Becotte speaks to reporters in from of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building while teachers and supporters picket in the background. (Katy Syrota/CTV News)
The letters were from teachers and supporters across the province, outlining "critical issues," according to the union.
The STF said teachers would be at 40 demonstration sites across Saskatchewan. In Regina, the focus was on the legislative building Tuesday morning.
“We're seeing over 3,000 new students across the province and a reduction in teachers … So then we have influx of complexity and then we're seeing an influx of violence across the province and in Regina Public as well," Melissa Gerlach, Regina Public Schools Teachers' Association president said on the picket line Tuesday morning.
In Saskatoon, teachers set up shop in front of Midtown Plaza, Lawson Heights and Centre Mall and in front of the office of Sask. Party MLA Paul Merriman.
Colin Haughian was walking the picket in downtown Saskatoon.
"Just trying to find like, ways to support the kids and it's like "Why aren't we able to do more?' And it's like, well, we just like don't have the resources," Haughian said.
Bargaining between the two sides initially began in May 2023, with the STF declaring an impasse in October. Teachers have been without a contract since August.
--With files from Keenan Sorokan and Kayleen Sawatzky
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP wants Liberals to scrap proposed election date change that could secure pensions for many MPs
The federal New Democrats want to amend the Liberal government's electoral reform legislation to scrap the proposal to push back the vote by a week and consequently secure pensions for dozens of MPs, CTV News has learned.
Drive one of these vehicles? You may pay 37 per cent more than average insurance costs due to thefts
As the number of auto theft incidents rises in Canada, so have insurance premiums for drivers, even the ones whose vehicles aren't stolen.
Doug Ford suggests immigrants behind Jewish school shooting
Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested immigrants are to blame for the shooting of an empty Jewish school in Toronto over the weekend, despite police saying they have little information on the suspects.
Melanie Joly 'forward-leaning' in debate on Ukraine using NATO arms inside Russia
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly is suggesting Canada would support a policy of allowing Ukraine to use NATO-provided arms inside Russia.
Fast-paced, highflying SailGP blows into Halifax for weekend competition
Ten countries, including Canada, each with teams of six sailors, are battling head-to-head on Halifax Harbour this weekend for the Canadian debut of SailGP (Grand Prix).
Donald Trump can sue niece over NY Times article, court rules
A New York state appeals court said Donald Trump can sue his niece Mary Trump for giving the New York Times information for its Pulitzer Prize-winning 2018 probe into his finances and his alleged effort to avoid taxes.
Shania Twain shares how she forgave her ex-husband's cheating: 'It's his mistake'
Shania Twain recently addressed the infidelity that rocked her marriage to Robert 'Mutt' Lange, whom she divorced in 2010 after he had an affair with her friend, Marie-Anne Thiébaud.
A pair enjoyed pricey meals and bolted when it was time to pay. Their dine and dash ended in jail
A Welsh couple who dined out on pricey meals and bolted when the bill came is now paying the price, behind bars.
Supreme Court won't hear appeal in Montreal brainwashing experiments case
The Supreme Court of Canada will not review a Quebec ruling that bars people from suing the U.S. government in Canada over its role in notorious brainwashing experiments at a Montreal psychiatric hospital.