The Globe and Mail

A B.C. Supreme Court ruling that restored teachers’ bargaining rights could cost taxpayers $1-billion if allowed to stand, said B.C.’s Education Minister in announcing the province will appeal.

The scathing ruling, handed down last week by Justice Susan Griffin, concluded the B.C. Liberals were more interested in provoking a strike than bargaining with teachers in good faith. Peter Fassbender said Tuesday Justice Griffin centred on the interests of the B.C. Teachers Federation (BCTF) union and not on what students need.

“In practical terms, the judgment is completely unaffordable for taxpayers,” Mr. Fassbender said.

“It would create huge disruptions in our schools and, most importantly, it will prevent districts from providing the right mix of supports that our students actually need.”

BCTF president Jim Iker called the government’s decision to appeal “sad, disappointing but entirely predictable from a government that cannot be trusted to put education before politics.”

“By announcing their intent to appeal B.C. teachers’ important and historic court victory, Christy Clark’s government has shown they think they are above the law,” he said….