Hundreds of Kingstonians join thousands in protest at Queen’s Park
At least five busloads of Kingstonians joined an estimated 20,000 protesters at Queen’s Park on Saturday, April 6, to show their concern about cuts being proposed to education by the provincial government.
The crowd, which filled the grounds in front of the Ontario legislature for most of the afternoon, included union members from ETFO, OSSTF, CUPE, and others, as well as many families, representatives from autism organizations, highschool and college students.
The event followed multiple demonstrations in Kingston on Thursday, April 4th.
The provincial government, led by Premier Doug Ford, have recently come under fire for changes which opponents say will dramatically increase class sizes, decrease quality of education, and place significant burdens on families with children on the autism spectrum.
“Our government will not be distracted from making the necessary reforms to create a sustainable, world-class education system that protects what matters most for students,” said Ford in an online statement on Saturday morning, just as the crowd outside the legislature was beginning to gather. Ford was not at Queen’s Park on Saturday, having spent the day touring North Bay.
I hope these folks will return to Queen’s Park with the Kingston Health Coalition on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 to demonstrate their support for publicly funded and publicly delivered healthcare services. “You can’t do more with less.” And taking money out to line the profiteers’ pockets means there will be much less money to spend on patients and the tests and treatments they require. https://www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca/index.php/april-30-rally-to-protect-public-health-care/ Phone the Kingston number to reserve your seat on the free bus to Queen’s Park.
very proud of all of you who took part in a non violent manner. Education is right and not a privileged. When do stop punishing children for being born into poverty. It wasn’t their choice was it?