VANCOUVER – More than 200 teachers, parents and students gathered in Maple Ridge on Wednesday morning as Premier Christy Clark made an appearance to celebrate the city’s 140th anniversary.
They showed up with T-shirts bearing messages, and signs saying things like ‘let me teach’ and ‘say yes to binding arbitration’.
Clark ended up going into the event through the back of the ACT Theatre in Maple Ridge, avoiding most of the teachers stationed at the front.
“She’s a coward,” said one protester. “Not surprised.”
Another said Clark should have gone in the front way as that would have shown she’s a “proud politician.”
Teachers could also be heard chanting downstairs while the premier was inside giving her speech.
Clark has come under fire for her comments about the current education dispute. Last week she called on the BCTF to suspend the strike and get back to the bargaining table.
On Wednesday the teachers are voting on binding arbitration to end the current dispute, but the provincial government has already said they will not agree to binding arbitration as a way to end the strike.
Most of the teachers Global News spoke to on Wednesday want the government to agree to binding arbitration.
GALLERY: Photos by Grace Ke:
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