VICTORIA – New Democrat spokesperson for education Rob Fleming released the following statement on the Appeal Court ruling in the dispute over class size and composition bargaining:

“Premier Christy Clark and the B.C. Liberals are not delivering the public education system students and their families across this province deserve, and this court ruling doesn’t change that.

“Premier Clark’s confrontational approach with teachers began when she ripped up their negotiated contract in 2002, and continues to this day with Bill 11.

“Premier Clark oversaw the longest school strike in B.C. history and failed to fully fund the agreement that was finally reached with teachers like she promised she would. During the dispute she said class composition was her number one priority, but government’s own reporting shows class size and composition issues haven’t improved at all.

“If Premier Clark wants anyone to take her at her word that she’s ready to work with teachers, she should start by withdrawing Bill 11 from the legislature, or refer it to the Standing Committee on Education as the Opposition has proposed.

“Bill 11 shows Premier Clark’s Liberals haven’t learned a thing about how to work with their partners in education. This bill is a continued attack on the teaching profession, and an attack on elected school trustees.

“Parents and students have endured disruption and uncertainty in schools under Premier Christy Clark and the B.C. Liberals, and it’s time for that to change.”