Frustration about unsettled bargaining that predates the pandemic could get channelled into pronounced resistance from educational workers during the coming months.
The Ontario government’s latest use of the notwithstanding clause is at odds with its stated intention to keep kids in school amid a labour dispute — and at odds with the heart of labour relations norms.
Instead of looking at anti-Black racism as a one-off moment in the past, it should be looked at as an ongoing systemic issue that should be actively challenged and addressed in a sustained way.
If Ontario’s de-streaming of high schools isn’t accompanied with other efforts to address cultural norms and values, streaming in many other forms and guises will continue.
Ontario high school labour negotiations broke down over student quality of learning — including mandatory e-learning. Ontario has yet to explain how this will work for students with special needs.
A truly new approach to combating bullying would investigate the factors that make bullying attractive, rewarding and legitimized in the first place, both in schools and beyond.