B.C. Liberals move to end debate on teachers back-to-work law
VICTORIA - B.C.'s Liberal government is moving to end debate on its controversial back-to-work legislation targeting striking teachers.
Liberal house leader Rich Coleman says the government is invoking time-allocation rules to ensure debate on Bill 22 will conclude Thursday afternoon.
Bill 22, the government's Education Improvement Act, would prevent any further strikes or lockouts and appoint a mediator, who will have until August to find a settlement.
The province's more than 41,000 teachers staged a legal three-day walkout last week to protest Bill 22 and press their demands for wage increases.
Teachers were already on a limited strike that began in September, in which teachers refused certain administrative tasks such as filling out report cards.
The Opposition New Democrats have been calling on the government to amend the proposed law, including appointing an independent mediator.
