Ontario’s Labour Minister insists the province isn’t violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act when it comes to teachers.
Monte McNaughton says the province is taking the proper precautions for a safe return to school.
“Employers have to protect their workers from hazards on the job, as well as infectious diseases, like COVID-19,” explains McNaughton.
“We’ve had great success in the Province of Ontario in thousands and thousands of workplaces in doing that and we’re going to do that in schools as well.”
The four major teachers unions are taking the province to the Ontario Labour Relations Board because they say the Ministry of Labor failed to respond to them about the health and safety standards at publically funded school.
Premier Doug Ford admits he’s frustrated by the actions of the teacher’s unions.
“You wanted ventilation…we got ventilation. You wanted more money for teachers…we got more money for the teachers. We went out and got the reserves…we have more cleaning. We basically covered every single list. And I’m just asking once, for your co-operation.”
