Press Releases

May 11, 2005

For Immediate Release

Education Minister Refuses Call for Apology

(Queen's Park) Education Critic, Oak Ridges MPP today called on Ontario's Education Minister to apologize for what Klees characterized as "offensive and disrespectful remarks" aimed at Ontario's independent schools.

Klees reminded the Education Minister that as Minister, he has responsibility for all levels and branches of elementary and secondary education in the province, and that Kennedy's remarks in which he characterized as a "bad habit" the former government's support of independent schools.

Klees suggested that Kennedy, who has been the Education Minister for 18 months has not yet made the transition from partisan politician to Minister of the Crown and pointed to his disrespectful remarks towards the independent school sector as evidence.

"It's a sad day in Ontario when the Minister of Education washes his hands of 869 schools in this province, 120,000 students, their parents and educators. Not only does he do that, but he treats them with disrespect," said Klees during his remarks in the Legislature.

The Hansard transcript of the exchange is attached.

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For more information please contact:

Frank Klees, MPP

416-325-7316