$1.30
APRIL 2, 2015
ST
Includes G
STUDENTS ENJOY BLUEGRASS CONCERT A17
MILITARY VETERAN DISCOVERS ‘HEALING POWER' B1
INSIDE
opinion A8 letters A9 entertainment A17 sports A19 community B1 classifieds B3
The voice of the South Cariboo since 1960 How to reach us: Ph: 250-395-2219 Fax: 250-395-3939 www.100milefreepress.net mail@100milefreepress.net
Two Sections, 32 pages
100milefreepress.net
Education act proposal unpopular with teachers Carole Rooney Free Press
The British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) is voicing concerns about Bill 11, the Education Statutes Amendment Act, introduced on March 26. Education Minister Peter Fassbender says these “new, innovative approaches” will help school districts reduce overhead costs, update the framework for teacher professional development and strengthen accountability for student outcomes. “British Columbians expect our K-12 system to be run efficiently, that teachers and students have the supports they need, and that everyone is focused on what matters most – student learning ... we need to pursue new, innovative approaches that promise better results for students.” The first of four key objectives in the proposed amendments is building a framework for teacher professional development. Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers’ Association president Murray Helmer says this objective is all about making sure these activities, workshops and courses target what the ministry wants to see, rather than what the teachers and their professional development committee choose. No one knows better than the educators what is working or not working, he adds. “I think this has to remain with the teachers. They are the ones in the classrooms working with the curriculum and with the kids.” Two other key elements in Bill 11 target the accountability framework for student learning, and aligning the provisions on the disclosure of student data with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. However, Helmer says this will mean third parties may be able to Continued on A2
Carole Rooney photo
Dozens of health-care workers, other Hospital Employee’s Union members and supporters turned out to a protest rally held outside Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett’s constituency office in 100 Mile House on March 31. Barnett’s office was closed at the time, as the rally occurred after regular office hours.
Health care rally held Protest censures federal cutbacks, jeopardize jobs
More than three dozen health-care workers, other Hospital Employees Union (HEU) members and residents supporting their cause held a protest rally in 100 Mile House on March 31. They joined scores of others voicing their objections to federal health-care transfer cuts at rallies in more than 25 communities cross British Columbia, and many others across Canada. Locally, HEU organizers also protested a recent provincial move toward privatizing laundry services and eliminating those jobs. They, therefore, staged the rally outside CaribooChilcotin MLA Donna
Barnett’s constituency ing $5 billion [the most of office (also due to the better any province].” venue for assembly), unlike That 10-year accord the majority of other rallies expired a year ago, and repheld at MP offices. resents $36 billion in lost HEU 100 Mile House health transfers across the chairperson Barb Matfin country because the fedsaid this location eral Conservative was also chosen government has because the provrefused to sign ince holds a strong a new one, she negotiation role explained. in federal health“Where is that care transfer money going to agreements. come from? Well, “We want Donna then our provinBARB MATFIN Barnett to be talkcial government ing to her cohorts is going to have about the health accord as to make up the difference well. – and we know the B.C. “Canada’s health care is in Liberals’ record when it threat. Without the Canada comes to health care.” Health Accord, B.C. is losMatfin noted there is
a website for promoting health funding in the next federal election at votehealthcare.com and postcards available from the HEU that it will forward to government. She also encouraged everyone to send letters to Kamloops-ThompsonCariboo MP Cathy McLeod (cathy.mcleod.c1@parl. gc.ca) and Barnett (Donna. Barnett.MLA@leg.bc.ca) on these issues. Matfin explained a decade ago the B.C. Liberals brought about Bill 29 that privatized other services, and about 9,000 health-care workers, primarily women, lost their jobs. Continued on A2