Win! Greater Victoria School District SD61 Passes Anti-CETA Resolution

2012 June 18, by Chapter Council

The Greater Victoria School District (SD61) unanimously passed a resolution expressing strong concerns against the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and Europe (CETA). The text (unofficial version) is as follows:

That the Board of Education of School District 61 (Greater Victoria) request Prime Minister Harper to change the terms of the draft Comprehensive Economic and Trade agreement (CETA) from any restrictions in CETA that will not protect the autonomy of School District #61. Further, this Board of Education requests that all school districts in BC be exempted (from CETA).

That this resolution be sent to the provincial and federal government ministers responsible for CETA negotiations, the BC School Trustees Association and any other relevant bodies for consideration and circulation.

The passing of the resolution followed presentations by Victoria Chapter activists Bharat Chandramouli and Barbara Mitchell Pollock on how CETA would affect school boards and education autonomy in BC, and open the door for education privatization. We thank Trustee Bev Horsman for introducing and championing the motion and all other trustees for their strong expression of concern. This post will be updated with links to the official minutes as soon as available.

For more information on CETA and its reach, click on http://canadians.org/trade/issues/EU/index.html, or email us at info@victoriacouncilofcanadians.ca

Update: Our Letter to the SD61 Trustees Congratulating their work.

On behalf of the Victoria Chapter of the Council of Canadians, I want to thank you and all the Trustees in voting unanimously to opt out of CETA. I particularly want to express our appreciation in Bev Horsman’s acceptance to include our motion, that I understand rarely happens.

You are one of the first school boards in Canada to understand and vote for opting out of CETA with a candid and effective motion. With the city of Victoria also voting to demand a permanent exemption from CETA on May 10, 2012, our chapter is proud of our school board and municipal council.
Our chapter congratulates the Trustees for standing up for local jobs and local democracy.

Here is the text of the letter (pdf) sent by the trustees to PM Stephen Harper. 2012 06 21 Letter to Prime Minister Harper re CETA