Manitoba teachers expect Tory government to be 'very, very efficient' with taxpayers' money

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister does not foresee layoffs among teachers as his new Progressive Conservative government moves closer to its first budget next week.

Pallister told reporters today the only thing he saw that would require a reduction in teaching positions would be a marked drop in the number of students attending Manitoba schools.

"I don't anticipate that happening. That's not the numbers I've seen," Pallister said.

The direct "no" to any lay-offs is welcome news to educators; the Manitoba Teachers' Society is holding its annual general meeting today. 

MTS president Norm Gould told CBC News the union representing teachers is looking forward to working with the new Progressive Conservative government and said a review of spending in every department is expected with the new administration. 

"I would expect government to be very, very efficient in the use of taxpayers' money, including taxpayer money paid by teachers of Manitoba, to review overall spending of the government. Of course, I would expect that," Gould said.

Education Minister Ian Wishart spoke to MTS members at the meeting and said a review was underway. A spokesperson for Wishart said the review would look at "all options to improve educational outcomes for Manitoba students."

Gould said he was pleased to hear Wishart tell the audience he respected the value of education, understood how important pensions were to teachers and the value of communicating with the MTS.

Opposition raises question about cuts

NDP MLA for Fort Rouge, Wab Kinew, raised the issue of teacher layoffs in the Legislature Thursday and asked if cuts to teachers were part of the government's plan.

Pallister's blunt "no" after Question Period came with the accusation of "fear-mongering" by the opposition.

"I consider teachers to be front-line workers and trying to frighten government employees generally by making their children think that their parents are going to lose their jobs is a deplorable tactic that should have gone the way of the dodo," Pallister said.

Gould said he didn't hear immediate concerns from the government either.

"There is nothing in the address by Mr. Wishart, there is nothing from the government down there on Broadway since the election that would give any signs whatsoever that there would be an acrimonious relationship," Gould said.

Gould said he told the MTS annual meeting there needs to be more engagement by teachers in their union and warned that public education has been under attack by governments in other provinces. He said it is necessary to be prepared in case that happens here.