Minister confident courts won’t overturn bill imposing new contract on teachers

TORONTO – Education Minister Laurel Broten says she’s not rolling the dice on a potential court challenge by foisting a new contract on thousands of Ontario teachers.

The cash-strapped Liberals are recalling the legislature early next week to introduce a bill that would impose a deal on teachers that would rein in wages and cut benefits.

Broten expressed confidence that the legislation, if passed, could withstand a court challenge.

But the minority Liberals still need the help of one of the two opposition parties to pass the bill.

The New Democrats say it will spark a lengthy court battle that will cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

Two unions who oppose the deal say they will challenge the legislation in court if it becomes law.

Broten suggested that one of the two unions is coming around, but was vague about the details.

She says the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation is embarking on “local conversations” to find an alternative path to meet the government’s tight budget.