NSTU joins national day of action against Bill C-23

HALIFAX, March 25, 2014 /CNW/ - NSTU president Shelley Morse joined representatives from Leadnow Canada, the Council of Canadians, the Confederation of Students, and concerned citizens in the Let People Vote national day of action. This coordinated effort brings further attention to Bill C-23, proposed federal legislation which will restrict voting rights for Canadians.

"This (un)Fair Elections Act Bill aims to restrict voting rights," says NSTU president Shelley Morse. "If passed, it will also mean the end of Elections Canada's civic literacy program in Canadian schools including Student Vote's parallel election program."

Last fall close to 196 schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels in Nova Scotia representing 22,784 students were involved in the Student Vote program in Nova Scotia. "Our teachers are strong supporters of this program because it combines in-class learning, family dialogue, media literacy and an authentic in-school vote and ultimately engages students in the democratic process."

She says that any attempt to change legislation governing voting rights should be done fairly, in a non-partisan manner. "As teachers, we welcome and invite the diverse voices of children, youth, parents and families in the education community."

Morse says she's encouraging her members to sign the Let People Vote petition (http://www.leadnow.ca/let-people-vote/), in which over 82,0000 signatures have been collected nationally and sign on to CTF's "Thunderclap.it" campaign against Bill C-23 (https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/10016-yes-to-democracy-no-to-c-23?locale=en. Raise your voice). "These efforts show that Canadians will stand up to defend a democratic and transparent elections process," adds Morse. "We need to stop voter suppression."

Morse attended the Let People Vote event with NSTU's Halifax County Local president Meg Ferguson, which took place outside of MP Megan Leslie's constituency office in Halifax.

The Nova Scotia Teachers Union represents more than 10,000 public school teachers, Community College faculty and professional support staff and teachers who work for the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority. Since 1895, it has worked to improve the quality of public education in Nova Scotia.

SOURCE: Nova Scotia Teachers Union

Angela Murray, NSTU Public Relations Coordinator
Direct: 902-479-4708, Cell: 902-497-0194, [email protected], twitter: @NSTeachersUnion