February 16 - 28 , 2017 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY 9
The courts , demographics , and parent advocacy force government ’ s hand on education funding
V I C T O R I A — B r i t i s h Columbia ’ s 2017 budget is an admission that this government has been shortchanging our schools and students for 15 long years , BCTF President Glen Hansman said today .
“ All of the funding increases announced today are because this government has been forced by the courts , by demographics , and by public anger to finally respond to their record of underfunding our schools and students ,” said Hansman . “ This budget is an admission that when it comes to education funding , the government has had it wrong all along . Fifteen years ago , they put tax cuts before kids . Students , parents , teachers , and support staff were forced to pay the price .”
On the question of whether this budget contains the funds necessary to fully fund the cost of the BCTF ’ s Supreme Court of Canada win , Hansman was cautiously optimistic , but stressed that parents and teachers should still be wary .
The government ’ s Budget and Fiscal Plan states that any costs of a final agreement with the BCTF “ will be managed within the fiscal plan .” That plan has a $ 400 million contingency fund for 2017 – 18 . The fund drops to $ 300 million for the two following years . The government has also budgeted $ 228 million for enrolment increases over the next three years and has annualized the $ 50 million from the January interim agreement to account for $ 320 million over the next three years .
“ The specific amount required to implement our Supreme Court of Canada win is not known at this point , but regardless of the cost , the government must provide new funds to pay the full amount ,” said Hansman . “ Teachers , parents , and trustees must hold the government accountable this spring so that districts are not forced to make cuts in other areas . The full funding from the province must materialize .
“ The BCTF ’ s goal is to wrap up the current discussions within the next couple of weeks . That will ensure planning for the 2017 – 18 school year , which starts this March , is conducted with our restored language on class size , class composition , and specialist-teacher ratios in place . We expect the next school year to start with the supports our students have been denied for 15 years fully in place and fully funded .”
Hansman also expressed
Surrey celebrates Canada 150 concerns with other unmet needs that this budget won ’ t fully address .
“ This budget doesn ’ t fully fund the rollout of the revised curriculum ,” said Hansman , noting students in all school districts around the province need access to modern equipment , as well as accurate , up-to-date , and inclusive learning materials . “ The government also needs to bring forward clear and ambitious timelines to deal with seismically unsafe schools and overcrowding in the Fraser Valley and South Island .”( bcmedia )
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In celebration of Canada ’ s 150th anniversary of Confederation , the City of Surrey is set to be the City of Festivals this year . To honour this historic birthday , Surrey will be proudly showcasing our national and civic pride with premier concerts , festivals and community events all throughout our city .
“ Surrey will be celebrating the best of our country and our people . I am delighted that our signature events will have major headliners who are not only first-rate artists in their own right , but they are all homegrown talent from BC ,” said Mayor Linda Hepner .
“ Celebrations like this truly make our city and our country so magnificent by bringing families and our community together . Our events , as always , are free to the public and tailor made for festival goers of all ages .”
Featured Canada 150 performers and events include Party for the Planet featuring Vancouver ’ s Shawn Hook .
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Best known for his hit single “ Sound Of Your Heart ,” which has hit over 17 million streams on Spotify worldwide and has been certified platinum in Canada . Show is on April 22 .
Another big concert is Western Canada ’ s largest Canada Day Concert featuring national pop sensationHedley . With six studio albums and over four million in sales , the award winning band has a strong local connection to the region with members raised in Surrey . The band just completed a national tour headlining arenas , and has enjoyed 17 number one MuchMusic videos and over 60 million online video views . This will be on July 1 .
Surrey ’ s famous Fusion Festival features Victoria ’ s Nelly Furtado this year . A philanthropist , We Day Ambassador and 2016 Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award Recipient , Nelly Furtado is one of Canada ’ s most successful artists . Her career has spanned two decades and her music has reached every part of the globe with five albums and over 16 million records sold worldwide . The
Fusion Festival will be on July 22-23 .
Canada 150 zones will be incorporated at every major event . The Canada 150 zones will showcase our history and include a variety of Canadian themed activities , along with amazing local performances by First Nation ’ s performers , hoop dancers , French- C a n a d i a n artists and more .
A l s o , new this year is Dominion Days ( July 1-2 ) which will be held at historic Stewart Farm in South Surrey . The two day festival will celebrate C a n a d a ’ s birthday by going back in time to turn of the century , 1900 , complete with historic “ reenactors ,” live music and entertainment .
Canada 1 5 0 celebrations are planned all across Surrey . From the City ’ s Museums and Galleries which will feature our nation ’ s arts , culture and heritage , to City Libraries where patrons will be asked to vote for their favourite Canadian author and story , to Canada 150 themed city sidewalks , crossings and flower displays , Surrey will be proudly displaying our national pride .
Concerts and entertainment are free to the public . Visit Surrey ’ s Canada 150 website for more information and details . For events , contact Mary Rukavina , Manager , Special Events and Filming , City of Surrey at telephone number 604.591.4598 or at mrukavina @ surrey . ca . Source : Media @ surrey . ca
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