Some Renfrew County residents have spoken out loudly about government funding cuts. On Friday, upwards of 80 people showed up at a rally to protest cuts to education, legal-aid and other crucial services. President of the Renfrew and District Labour Council, Michael Wright, says they want people to think before they vote in the upcoming federal election.
All those in attendance marched from the Pembroke Marina, up main street and turned towards the offices of the local Member of Parliament and Member of Provincial Parliament. Some carried signs that said cuts to education hurt kids. President of the Renfrew County Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation, Christian Sell, says as a result of the increased class sizes, 25 full time equivalent teaching positions have been eliminated.
Sell says one full-time educator could be made up of two part time teachers and the cuts result to 150 less classes being offered in schools in Renfrew County. Sell says he worries about at-risk youth and says it’s important to invest in kids because they are our future.
With the planned cutbacks the province has in store, 3,500 teachers will lose their jobs and sell says Renfrew County will be taking its share of that.
