Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday June 7, 2003
A Former Premier Speaks Out
Bill Davis showed all the signs of a man who has held his tongue for too long when he spoke last week at the Toronto City Summit Alliance.
September 21, 2002
The former Ontario premier launched an emotional defence of the public education system and its teachers, reminding his audience that everyone will pay a price down the road if we shortchange young people’s education. Davis earned a standing ovation when he pleaded for the public to show support for teachers, who he says work hard, are not overpaid, and perform one of the community’s most important jobs.
“Show me a good doctor, a good lawyer, a good whatever and I’ll show you a good kindergarten teacher, a good high school teacher and a good university professor,” Davis said.
He went on to chastise the provincial government for fragmenting the public education system with its new tax credit for parents whose children attend private schools.
Davis is a cautious man, and still is a member of the Ontario Conservative party. He denied his speech was aimed at the current Tory government or Premier Ernie Eves, but his intention was unmistakable. He still carries a lot of weight in Ontario, and was right to speak out. (CP)