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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, January 10, 2013 · 4 Schools closed Friday Continued from page 1 The teacher protest is against Bill 115 (Putting Students First Act), which was used by Ontario Education Minister Laurel Broten at the start of 2013 to impose contracts on teachers and education workers. "The minister made a deliberate and provocative choice to wipe out the democratic rights of tens of thousands of educators rather than work towards a respectful solution," said ETFO president Sam Hammond, in a news release. "She could have taken our olive branch and waited for a new leader to try and find solutions, but she chose not to." ETFO represents 76,000 elementary public school teachers, designated early childhood educators, professional support personnel and education support personnel. In Halton, it has approximately 3,000 members. In December, approximately 46,000 ETFO members voted 92 per cent in favour of holding a one-day political protest should Ontario impose teacher contracts using Bill 115, passed by the provincial government in September. "Our members are standing up to say democratic values must trump party politics in this province. What happened to educators must not happen to any other Ontarian," Hammond said. "The stain of Bill 115, enacted four months ago this Friday, serves as a permanent reminder." When Broten announced she would impose contracts on educators on Jan. 3, she warned teachers if they walk out of class during school hours when they have a contract in place, it would be an illegal strike. ETFO leaders on the other hand countered by saying a one-day political protest is legal, even if it is held on a school day. Full Delivery: Inside Opinion.............................................6 Health.............................................16 Sports..............................................18 Classified........................................21 Ashley Furniture, Freshco, Food Basics, Metro, M&M Meats, Popeye's, Amerisource Bergen, Active Green & Ross, Rabba, Real Canadian Superstore, Kitchen & Bath Inc., Fabutan, 2001 Audio, Sleep Country, The Bay, Longo's, No Frills, Home Outfitters, Sobeys, Fortinos, Red Plum, Toys R Us, Shoppers Drug Mart, Pharmaplus, Sears, Pharmasave, Canadian Tire, The Source, Natural Beds, Walmart, Future Shop, Pet Valu, Best Buy For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com Call today for your personal tour. We'd love to have you join us! · Enjoy our fresh home cooked meals- never catered · Daily housekeeping including linen and laundry service · Our spacious sun filled facility · Nursing staff 24 hours a day for your peace of mind Retirement Living 380 Sherin Drive, Oakville, Ontario (905) 847-1413 www.vistamere.ca At Its Best