VICTORIA – New Democrat leader John Horgan and education critic Rob Fleming released the following statement in response to news that a deal between the province’s teachers and the B.C. Liberal government was not reached over the weekend:

“For 12 years Christy Clark and the B.C. Liberals have been making it harder to teach and harder to learn in B.C.’s classrooms. Two B.C. Supreme Court rulings have found the government’s actions unconstitutional, and have directed the government to resolve class size and composition at the bargaining table. The Liberal government has failed to comply with the courts.

“It is very disappointing that the B.C. Liberals have failed to find the means to a fair settlement after raising expectations that we would get a deal done over the weekend. That disappointment will be felt the most by the kids who are unlikely to finish their school year with their friends and their teachers, and the parents who are struggling to make arrangements for their children.

“As parents of school kids who’ve graduated from and are currently enrolled in B.C.’s public schools‎, we know that public education is one of the greatest investments our province can make.

“Students, parents and teachers deserve better than what they’ve been getting from the B.C. Liberals for the past 12 years.”