No dissent in Liberal caucus, says McNeil, even as some MLAs tepid about teacher bill
Premier says MLAs can express concerns but that doesn't mean they don't support government
Liberal backbenchers silent Monday on their government's plans to impose a contract on teachers are now speaking publicly, but some are refusing to say how they would have voted had the legislation been introduced.
Education Minister Karen Casey decided not to go ahead with the proposed law, and announced schools could reopen following a one-day closure as school board superintendents were satisfied with changes to the union's work-to-rule protocols.
The Nova Scotia Teachers Union said those clarifications were sent out Friday evening.
Liberals won't say if they support bill
Cape Breton Centre MLA David Wilton said while he supported cancelling classes over concerns kids would not be safe if teachers and principals limited their work day as part of their job action, he did not offer the same endorsement for teachers' contract bill.
Asked if he was comfortable with imposing a contract on teachers, Wilton offered only lukewarm support.
"Imposing a contract for me not necessarily, but it was an avenue that we felt was to get them back to the table … to start the discussion," he said. "But the biggest issue — the safety around the kids."
Asked if he would have voted for the bill, he replied: "You never know what would happen."
Hants West MLA Chuck Porter, who once sat on the PC benches but is now a Liberal, also refused to say how he would have voted.
"If a bill comes before the House, we'll look at every bill that comes before the House and I will treat it the same as I do them all," he said. "I will listen to the debate and vote accordingly."
Normal discussion, not dissent
Premier Stephen McNeil said it was normal for caucus members to express concern but it didn't amount to dissent.
"Let's not try to create a problem where there isn't," he said Tuesday. "Those members would have voted for the legislation but they're allowed to express themselves.
"I had unanimous support because it was about kids' safety.
"We don't always agree but at the end of the day they support the direction of the government and particularly on this file, which really was about child safety."
'Big sticking point'
McNeil said the bill was not about imposing a contract. He called it a "tool" to ensure an end to work-to-rule so that children could be properly supervised outside normal class times.
"The big sticking point was that principals weren't even sure what they were allowed to do because the union was saying you are working to rule, not to the scope that is required," he said.
McNeil did not attend Monday's sitting at Province House because he said he was working to get a deal to get kids back in class.