Time for government to mend fences with teachers: Kennedy

Time for government to mend fences with teachers: Kennedy. Provincial Liberal leadership hopeful Gerard Kennedy listens as Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor speaks during an event at Don Cherrys Sports Bar and Grill on Lundys Lane. Craitor has endorsed Kennedy, who is among a field of seven candidates vying for the position. RICHARD HUTTON/STAFF PHOTO

Kennedy is one of seven hopefuls vying to take over the party from Premier Dalton McGuinty, who last month announced his intention to step down as premier and get out of politics once the party chooses a new leader on Jan. 12.

Part of the reason I came back into this leadership race is to make sure it gets fixed, Kennedy said. For eight, nine years we had a good working relationship with teachers.

Bill 115 the controversial legislation which was passed by minority Liberal government and backed by the progressive Conservatives, froze wages for teachers, ended the practice of banking sick days and took away their right to strike was not the right approach, Kennedy said.

I have some fresh ideas, he said. But I have no illusions. Its going to take time.

Asked for his thoughts on a new hospital for south Niagara, Kennedy instead took a general approach and stayed away from the debate of just where it should be located.

I know a prospective new hospital has good support, Kennedy said. A hospital anchors the system. Its not just a hospital but all that goes with it.

As he said, Liberals have always been committed to providing a high quality of care for everyone in the province, including Niagara.

He also said that Fort Erie Race Track has a lot of support in the community and that time is needed to work things out, rather than simply moving racing to Ajax Downs, near Toronto.

When it comes to making decisions there must be a test for fairness, Kennedy said. Its also what Liberals do best reaching a consensus.

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Time for government to mend fences with teachers: Kennedy