NSTU denies claim of violation of Elections Act

HALIFAX, Oct. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - Elections Nova Scotia has informed the Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU) that complaints have been filed claiming a violation of the Elections Act. "Elections Nova Scotia received complaints that we have engaged in election advertising," says NSTU president Shelley Morse. "The complaints have been forwarded to the RCMP for investigation, and we will work with them to address this issue."

The Teaching Profession Act, an act of the legislature in which the NSTU is governed, gives the NSTU statutory authority to advance and promote the cause of public education in Nova Scotia. "We take our obligation under this act very seriously, and because of this we do not believe that the NSTU engaged in election advertising under the Elections Act," states Morse. "Since 1895 we have directed our programs towards improving the quality of public education in this province."

The NSTU understands the complaints arose from the Stand for Education website, a joint project of education partners in the province, the NSTU, the Nova Scotia Federation of Home and School Associations and la Fédération des parents de la Nouvelle-Écosse. The website contained five questions pertaining to the public education system that the three groups were encouraging the public to ask of election candidates. The Stand for Education campaign encourages the public to tell elected officials to stand up for education and make public education a priority.

"The NSTU continues to maintain its historical position of not attaching itself to any political party," adds Morse. "We encourage our members, parents and other members of the public to ask candidates about their priorities for public education to best meet the needs of all students in Nova Scotia."

The Nova Scotia Teachers Union represents more than 10,000 public school teachers, Community College faculty and professional support staff in Nova Scotia, and teachers who work for the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Since 1895, it has worked to improve the quality of public education for children and youth in Nova Scotia, while promoting and advancing the teaching profession.

SOURCE: Nova Scotia Teachers Union

Angela Murray, NSTU Public Relations Coordinator
(Mobile) 902-497-0194, [email protected], @NSTeachersUnion.