Stop the Cuts Rally
On November 17, David Swann spoke to University of Alberta education students who organized a “Stop the Cuts” rally to protect public education:
Good afternoon.
I treasure the education I received in Alberta’s public schools. From grade school to grad school, my teachers helped shape the course of my life and helped me become a better human being.
Today we’re fighting to ensure that our children and grandchildren continue to enjoy the benefits of a well-rounded public education.
Given our experiences in the 1990s and the actions of the current administration, I think we can all agree that Conservatives do not value public education. Whenever the booms go bust, education is one of their first targets for cutbacks.
Some might say that our defense of public education is just as predictable. That’s fine with me, because I’m proud of the fact that Alberta Liberals can be counted upon to stand up for our schools. In fact, I’d like to take things a step further: I believe that with the right planning and better management of our resources, we could build a public education system that’s the envy of the nation.
I believe we should shoot for a high school completion rate of 95%. Furthermore, I’d like to see 75% of Albertans continue their education with post-secondary degrees or diplomas.
I believe that one way to help fix the public health care system is to ensure that every Albertan has a family doctor. I’d like those doctors to be born and bred and educated right here in Alberta, and I’d like to make that possible by making sure that public education always receives stable, secure funding.
That means better management, and that means we need a change in government. With an Alberta Liberal government, there’s a better way.
Education is the foundation of Alberta’s prosperity, its social and cultural progress, and fundamentally, our happiness as human beings. You can’t build strong, healthy communities without investing in public education. Let’s make sure that the Premier understands that public education mustn’t be asked to pay for his mistakes.
I want to thank the ATA, the Alberta School Boards Associations, and all the teachers, parents and students – and especially the post-secondary education students who are with us today – who are clearly working incredibly hard to stop the cuts. We won’t let the Stelmach administration erase our children’s future.