Phendrana Drifts

The Government of Alberta and the ATA are about to pitch a deal, and what a deal it is. And while ostensibly it is a pitch to teachers, it really is to all of us. Why should the Government of Alberta do this? Because it is in all our best interests, including the financial one. By giving the flexibility to end the liability before its planned 52 year old termination date, we will save interest. A lot of interest. Up to $45 billion - to put that in perspective, we spend some $33 billion a year as a provincial government. That alone makes it sound policy, but we are also all going to gain a lot from the recruitment of new teachers coupled with the predictability of five year collective bargaining agreements.

I missed question period today, so I have no idea what the Liberal reaction was to it. I looked on their website, no posted response - not that I was expecting one - but also found something curious, their search function isn't working on their website. They should look into fixing that. I looked around and around (tiring, since there was no search) and couldn't find a policy on the unfunded liability. Hmm... finally I found something on their education critic's site talking about the need to "address this problem." Well, even they should be happy I guess - the problem isn't just addressed, it has a long-term sustainable solution on the table, one that saves teachers and taxpayers money.

Labels: alberta politics, teachers

Graham Thompson once called the teacher's unfunded liability unsexy, or something like that - the stuff only policy wonks (and of course the teachers themselves) would pay attention. I guess that makes me a policy wonk, because I follow the issue with rapt attention.

Today Premier Ed Stelmach and the Alberta Teachers Association announced a positive step towards solving this $6.4 billion issue. What's good about it? Well, first the previously announced $25 million is no longer a ploy to divide the teachers. Second good move - the ATA is coming to the table. A crucial step to getting the problem solved.

And this problem needs to be solved - we can't call ourselves debt free until we settle the two-thirds that is assumed by the Government of Alberta. And I don't think we will attract the calibur and number of teachers we need until a solid plan is in place that doesn't punish newcomers to the profession.

A $6.4 billion issue doesn't have a handy solution just sitting, ready for implementation. Even in Alberta, that kind of money isn't just lying around in bags in a Scrooge McDuck-like safe. Not even the $4.3 billion we owe to the liability. As for the $2.1 billion assumed by teachers, it's hard to come up with that kind of cash when you're a junior high teacher. Even more difficult to wrap our heads around is the fact that this isn't really money for education per se - paying it off won't reduce our classroom size, make our teachers more productive, or necessarily make our children any smarter. But I believe it is an issue we need to put behind us.

The first step is done - the political will to solve the problem exists. Despite a decade of huge surpluses and a steady stream of accomplishments, this was left for the future to deal with. The second step - getting the right heads together in a room - is now done too. Now let's see what those heads come up with.

Labels: alberta politics, teachers

There is to a degree a selfish and self-promotional reason I use that title, but that doesn't change the fact that it is true - I do indeed love teachers. I suppose not all teachers (like many, I've had one or two that spring to mind if I use the phrase "I hate some teachers"), but the vast majority are amazing people who do an interesting, challenging and important job.

Labels: teachers

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