Christina Blizzard has an excellent column today about whether or not there might be a conflict of interest between the teachers’ unions and campaign donations in the 2007 Ontario election. If, as she suggests, you follow the money, it doesn’t look good. For example, a number of Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) offices contributed to Education Minister Kathleen Wynn’s campaign, as did the Ontario Teachers Federation (OTF).

And, remember, these are the same groups that screamed their way through the Mike Harris years with “Days of Protest” and a two week teacher strike in 1997. So, what does it say to the public when none of that is happening now and hasn’t since the McGuinty government was first elected in 2003? Is it good management and good leadership as the Ontario Liberals would have us believe or is it simply giving the teachers’ unions everything they want? 

Meaning, that there will likely be a lot sabre rattling regarding the current ETFO negotiations, followed by Wynn “settling” and claiming victory. However, let’s not forget what that “victory” is going to cost Ontario taxpayers. Remember, ETFO wants nearly one billion dollars more so that elementary per-pupil grants equals that of secondary students.

But, it doesn’t end there. Scroll down this Ministry of Education (MOE) page. Fourth quarter investment money allocations were $250,000 to OTF and $900,000 to ETFO.

Now, can anyone make a direct link between election donations, contract settlements, grant allocations and peace in our schools? In other words, is there an unofficial “quid pro quo” arrangement? I very much doubt it. However, it should be something PC opposition leader John Tory looks into.

In the meantime, if perception is reality, there is clearly enough of a conflict of interest in this situation that it should somehow be avoided in the future — no matter which political party is involved!

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H/T Doretta Wilson, Exec. Director of the Society for Quality Education & Joanne (Blue Like You). 

It somehow doesn’t seem appropriate that the Ontario Liberal Party is sending a type of recruitment letter to Ontario teachers, addressed to them personally, not at their home address, but at their school. I know this to be true because my husband received one today. It was titled “Moving Forward Together” and was linked to this website – clearly the official site of the Liberal Party of Ontario. Note also the anti-John Tory messaging.

On the top of page two the letter states:

“That’s why I’m writing you today. You can join your friends and neighbours and help us keep Ontario moving forward by making a donation to the Ontario Liberal Fund. Your tax-creditable contribution of $100, $150, $250 or an amount of your choice will be a sound investment in our province.”

And, then the letter goes on to spin the supposed Liberal accomplishments: “A Healthier Ontario,” “A Stronger Economy,” “Better Education and Training,” “Greener Communities” and “Improved Quality of Life.” It was signed by Bobby Walman, President, Ontario Liberal Fund.

What is going on here? The last time I checked there was freedom of political affiliation in this country. Yet, this type of letter would certainly have a chilling effect. For instance, how free would a teacher feel to talk about John Tory?  While one might be tempted to say, “well, no Ontario teacher is going to talk about John Tory.” That would be wrong because my husband works for a “private” school – a school that receives not a penny of taxpayers money and where many people are openly conservative.  

So, as far as I am concerned, this type of solicitation and wooing of teachers at their place of employment, is totally inappropriate. However, decisions as to whether it is more than that is for other people to decide.

But, what a double standard! Can you just imagine the reaction by teachers and the media if PC leader John Tory sent out a similar letter?

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