'Glad that teachers are pushing back,' says Lantz

P.E.I. Progressive Conservative Leader Rob Lantz is happy to see a strong response from the P.E.I. Teachers' Federation's following news of the loss of 28 teaching positions.

On Wednesday afternoon, Federation president Gilles Arsenault accused the government of engaging in bad faith bargaining, and walked out of contract negotiations.

Lantz said the cuts should not have surprised anyone.

"It's consistent with this government's past behaviour, and that is to unilaterally cut and slash an already bare-bones teaching workforce without any consultation. I'm quite shocked," said Lantz.

"This government is off on a wild direction here that was never discussed with the electorate of Prince Edward Island, and I'm just glad that teachers are pushing back."

Lantz said the PCs will be bringing a motion to the floor Thursday for debate to ask government to reverse the cuts.

Lantz said the loss of teachers creates anxiety for students, parents and staff and is in stark contrast to the plan his party put forward during the election campaign to put 40 teaching positions back into the system.

"We know that a skilled teacher in the classroom is the best investment in student achievement," said Lantz.

The province says the cuts will not have a large impact. There will be 300 fewer students in the English Language School Board this year, and with 40 teachers expected to retire no one will lose their job.