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Make education, children and youth issues in federal election
Mary-Lou Donnelly, President, Canadian Teachers’ Federation
The programs and services of many federal government departments have a direct or indirect effect on the country’s K–12 education systems and the well-being of children and youth.
Canada’s publicly funded education systems face many challenges. Some of them can be addressed through federal/provincial partnerships and some through direct action by the federal government. It is the mandate of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) to promote the views of teachers through an ongoing political action, liaison and advocacy program. Teachers have much to offer on the direction of legislation and programs that affect education. CTF believes that investing in children and families is the most effective way to develop active and engaged citizens who will contribute to the social and economic health of the country.
The spring federal election gives us an opportunity to highlight some of the issues we think are important. Highlighting issues will open dialogue on a number of levels, particularly between teachers and candidates running for election. It is important for candidates to be aware of and understand the professional concerns of educators. It is equally important for teachers to be aware of the positions of the candidates on the issues and of how party platforms could affect candidates’ ability to address teacher concerns in a positive fashion.
CTF has published a guide entitled Federal Election: Education, Children and Youth. The document highlights issues and features recommendations for tackling child poverty, child care, international cooperation, human exploitation and trafficking, status of women and women’s rights, labour rights, copyright and educational use of the Internet, and cyberconduct. Teachers are encouraged to read the CTF document that is available online (www.ctf-fce.ca).
Child Poverty
CTF urges all parliamentarians to support a coordinated effort to reduce and eliminate child poverty in Canada. This coordinated effort should focus on three main areas of action—family income, housing and educational opportunity.
Strategies and policy recommendations that could have a positive influence on inequitable educational opportunities linked to family socioeconomic status and ensure that all children are better provided for should include
- increased minimum wage,
- expansion of eligibility for Employment Insurance,
- major investment in social housing,
- improved accessibility and affordability of postsecondary education and training,
- inclusion of child and youth services as part of federal/provincial/territorial agreements concerning immigrants and refugees,
- funding for First Nations child welfare agencies to deliver in-home support and prevention services to First Nations children and their families, and
- a universal child care system.
Child care
Specific initiatives for ensuring that all children are better provided for include
- a universal child care system that provides dedicated funding for high quality care, early intervention and school readiness initiatives for all children;
- support for school boards and relevant community agencies in their attempts to coordinate health, recreation and social services at school sites; and
- political commitment to a national poverty reduction strategy.
International Cooperation
CTF calls on national leaders to recognize the role of Canadian teachers in international development. CTF calls on the federal government to continue its partnership with CTF through support and assistance to assure necessary resources for successful international cooperation programming to increase access to quality education.
Human Exploitation and Trafficking
CTF urges the Government of Canada to take immediate steps to address those areas that have been consistently identified as contributing to human trafficking and to remain a champion of its abolition.
Status of Women and Women’s Rights
CTF urges the Canadian government to provide the statutory revisions and support mechanisms necessary for the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls.
Labour Rights
CTF encourages the federal government to take immediate steps to work with provincial and territorial counterparts to develop a concrete plan and timetable for Canada’s ratification of the three core International Labour Organization conventions referenced above.
Copyright and Educational Use of the Internet
In order to address the educational need for publicly available Internet material and to clarify and enhance respect for copyright ownership on the Internet, it is proposed that the Government of Canada amend the Copyright Act to permit the educational use of publicly available Internet materials by an educational institution or a person acting under its authority, including a student.
Cyberconduct
Canadian teachers are seeking the support of all parliamentarians in recognizing the extreme impact of the misuse of technology, manifested in cybermisconduct and cyberbullying by
- supporting public awareness campaigns that focus on appropriate cyberconduct and the prevention of cyberbullying;
- supporting amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada that make it clear that the use of information and communication technology to convey a message that threatens death or bodily harm, or perpetuates fear and intimidation constitutes a punishable offence under the Criminal Code;
- helping to enact new information and communication technology/cybermisconduct and cyberbullying legislation that protects teachers, students and others from harm; and
- amending the regulatory framework for the rating of films and video games to reduce the possibility of excessively violent products being sold to children and youth.