Advertisement

Thousands of Nova Scotia teachers rally outside province house, protesting Bill 75

Click to play video: 'Thousands of Nova Scotia teachers rally outside province house, protesting Bill 75'
Thousands of Nova Scotia teachers rally outside province house, protesting Bill 75
WATCH: Thousands of people rallied around the Nova Scotia legislature to protest Bill 75 on Friday. Global’s Natasha Pace reports – Feb 17, 2017

Thousands of teachers rallied outside the Nova Scotia legislature Friday, protesting against the government’s legislated contract, Bill 75.

Striking teachers from across the province were bused in to Halifax to march around Province House. At its peak, the rally had thousands of teachers chanting and marching with signs and spirit.

READ MORE: Nova Scotia Liberals won’t amend legislated teachers contract

“I’m here because Bill 75 is taking away my charter rights,” said high school teacher Carolyn Nickelo.

“The Supreme Court of Canada has already ruled twice that this is unconstitutional. Yet here we are, wasting who knows how much taxpayer dollars ramming through legislation that’s simply going to be overturned”

WATCH: Teachers protest Bill 75 outside legislature

Click to play video: 'Teachers call Bill 75 illegal, waste of money, unconstitutional'
Teachers call Bill 75 illegal, waste of money, unconstitutional

“I want to fight for my human rights. I want to fight for democracy. I’m not just here because I am a teacher, it’s more than that. It’s what I saw from this government is more dictatorship than democracy and I don’t agree with that,” said protester Karim Amedjkouh.

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: NS teachers tell legislature that imposed contract will hurt students most

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.

Meanwhile inside Province House, the government decided it would not make any amendments to the legislated contract, after teachers, community members and more people made statements to the law amendments committee Thursday.

The union asked for several amendments to Bill 75, including reinstating the two paid days off, changes to work-to-rule and opting for a more generous wage package.

READ MORE: NS teachers tell legislature that imposed contract will hurt students most

Parents, students and community members also rallied outside the legislature Friday, showing solidarity with the province’s teachers. Some teachers had been stationed outside the legislature since 7 p.m. Thursday evening.

“The lessons that they’ll learn today about standing up for what’s right are more important than any lesson that they would have learned in the missed day of school today,” said parent Alana Lewis.

“They do so much for us and I feel like don’t get enough credit for what they do,” said Hailey Mackey, student.

WATCH: Thousands of teachers rally outside the Nova Scotia legislature Friday, Feb. 17 in protest of the government’s legislated contract, Bill 75.

Click to play video: 'Nova Scotia teachers rally outside province house, protesting Bill 75'
Nova Scotia teachers rally outside province house, protesting Bill 75

“All I know is what they’ve taught me so I’m going to support them,” said student Regina Charmi.

Story continues below advertisement

“Teachers have helped improved our life and shape our future,” added Alexa McLellan, student. “The way they’re being treated is so unfair and gotta show them some sympathy.”

More coverage on the entire teacher’s dispute can be found here.

WATCH: Hundreds of teachers are protesting outside the Nova Scotia legislature on Friday, contesting the government’s legislated contract, Bill 75

Click to play video: 'Hundreds of teachers march, protest outside legislature'
Hundreds of teachers march, protest outside legislature

 

Sponsored content

AdChoices