February 11th, 2019

MPP Jessica Bell to host emergency town hall on education amid fears of more cuts to come from Ford

TORONTO — Jessica Bell, NDP MPP for University-Rosedale, will host an emergency town hall on education Monday evening in response to the threat of budget cuts and class size increases under Doug Ford’s Conservatives.

The Conservatives have already cut $25 million from education programs and slashed $100 million from school-repair funds. Now, Doug Ford is looking at increasing class sizes and raising questions about the future of full-day kindergarten.

“Parents are becoming increasingly concerned that their kids will get lost in the crowd in larger classrooms, in schools that are falling deeper and deeper into disrepair,” said Bell. “No one should have to worry that their little ones will have fewer opportunities, especially in the critical early-learning years.

“The Liberals let Ontarians down by allowing class sizes to swell and schools to crumble. The Conservatives are only going to make things so much worse for students — starting in kindergarten and all the way through to post-secondary education, thanks to Ford’s cuts to grants.”

Bell said she expects to hear from parents, students and teachers at the town hall who are worried about what’s next for education under Doug Ford’s Conservatives.

“Our kids deserve a high-quality education in a safe learning environment, which is why I’m inviting my community to come together and take a stand against Ford’s cuts. Folks know that, especially when it comes to our children, we deserve more from our government, not less.”

Bell will be joined by special guest Chris Moise, TDSB Trustee, Ward 10, Toronto Centre Rosedale; Ontario NDP Education critic Marit Stiles; Nigel Barriffe, executive officer, Elementary Teachers of Toronto; and Rayne Fisher-Quann, student organizer, March for Our Schools.