Many of the more than a thousand teachers who participated in the MTS virtual town hall on the election appeared disappointed that Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister bowed out of the event.
When it was announced at the beginning of the forum that Pallister had informed MTS he would not be participating, members took to Twitter to express their displeasure:
- Disappointed that Brian Pallister decides that he has better things to do than to engage in a discussion with MB teachers.
- @Brian_Pallister concerning to teachers on #mtstownhall that you’re not available for teachers in their questions about ed in MB
- Agreed. It feels like we @mbteachers aren’t valued as voters.
- I’m disappointed that Brian Pallister is not available. Education is an important to all Manitobans.
- Pallister no-show at @mbteachers #mtstownhall. Considering his record on teachers, I’m not surprised
- If I supported PCs I would have not voted after his non-show up.
All three party leaders had been approached last year about participating in the one-hour telephone town hall and all three had given verbal assurances they would.
Both NDP Leader Greg Selinger and Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari took the opportunity to criticize Pallister for not taking the time to answer questions or speak with Manitoba’s 15,000 public school teachers. The forum was only available to public school teachers, not the general public.
“The single biggest threat to education is the folks who didn’t show up tonight – Brian Pallister,” said Selinger.
Bokhari called it an insult and showed a lack of concern for teachers.
During the town hall, both Bokhari and Selinger answered questions on issues from Aboriginal education to standardized tests to poverty and amalgamation of school divisions.
Selinger focused mainly on the work the current government has done in funding education to the rate of economic growth and beyond even as other provinces have cut education spending. He again expressed his opposition to standardized tests and said he would not force amalgamation of school divisions.
He said what’s more important is keeping small schools open, something he predicted the Progressive Conservatives would not do.
Bokhari emphasized that she would listen to teachers and all other groups working in the education field in developing policies.
As well, she said a Liberal provincial government would be in the best position to help in Aboriginal education because it would have the best relationship with the federal Liberal government.
The audio of the complete town hall will be posted on this website in the Election 2016 section this week.