Ontario Passes Legislation Ending the Colleges Strike

The province of Ontario has ended the strike affecting 24 publicly funded colleges.  The legislation passed after a rare weekend sitting at the Ontario Legislature.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne got personally involved in talks late Thursday.  When the two sides failed to find an agreement she announced back-to-work legislation the next day.  The bill known as “The Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Labour Dispute Resolution Act, 2017” will send all remaining issues to arbitrator appointed by the Ministry of Labour.  “We needed to put students first, and get them back to their studies.  This legislation ensures students can get back to the classroom and refocus on their education,” Deputy Premier Deb Matthews said.  Matthews is also in charge of advanced education.

“The strike has been incredibly disruptive to students, and we need to end it,” Sonia Del Missier, Chair of Colleges Bargaining team said in a news release. The legislation passed late Sunday following a debate.  The strike lasted five weeks.

Ontario offers $500 compensation for Full-time Students

The province also announced that all full-time students would be eligible to receive $500 for costs incurred because of the strike.  “Over the past month, I have heard from students about hardships they have experienced because of this strike,” Matthews said.  Those costs include additional childcare fees, rebooked train/ bus tickets or January rent.

Full-time students would also receive a full tuition refund should they decide to withdraw from college.  Apprentices are eligible to apply for a refund of classroom fees for the time missed.

Ontario Progressive Conservative (PC) leader Patrick Brown argues it’s not enough.  “People have made Christmas, holiday plans, flights back home.  Frankly, the colleges have saved costs during this period,” he said according to CTV.  The compensation offered by the Ontario government wouldn’t count against students’ OSAP grants.