Nova Scotia premier on striking teachers: ‘The frustration here is real’
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia’s premier says “decades” of education-policy errors — including his own miscues — contributed to Friday’s historic teachers walkout that saw the legislature enveloped in a cacophony of protest speeches and cowbells.
The province’s schools were closed Friday as the Nova Scotia Teachers Union held a one-day strike while the Liberal government pushed through a law imposing a four-year contract.
Amidst ringing house bells, Premier Stephen McNeil gave interviews in his office, acknowledging he may have failed to properly hear teachers’ message through the years.
“Obviously the investment and impact we’ve put into classrooms hasn’t hit the mark,” he said, as the protest speeches continued metres away outside.