Freedom Flyer 19

By WAYNE NEWTON
Staff Reporter

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation is planning to bribe the media and scare seniors in a bid to quash candidates sympathetic to cuts in education spending in this fall's municipal election, says the leader of the Freedom Party of Ontario.

RAY MONTEITH

Robert Metz, leader of the party based in London, Ont. said the union plans to place advertising with media most sympathetic to its stand on education spending.

"They plan to bribe the media with advertising," Mr. Metz said.

He said the April edition of a union publication called Political Action called for a number of tactics to be used against tax coalition groups and trustee candidates who embrace coalition ideas of lower taxes and spending on education.

The union suggests ill-educated thugs will threaten the safety of seniors if there is inadequate spending on education and a well-educated workforce will make pension income secure.

"These tactics are very low," Mr. Metz said.

Education spending, which accounts for about half of all property taxes, has been a target of Taxpayers Coalition - Elgin and similar groups throughout Ontario.

Mr. Metz said the union is more concerned about teachers' salaries and job security than quality education and responsible spending money.

Ray Monteith of St. Thomas, a former Freedom party candidate and member of the local tax coalition, said the union campaign may be a blessing in disguise.

"It's going to make some candidates come clean," he said, adding they will have to clearly explain their philosophies on taxation and education spending.

Mr. Monteith said the answers for responsible education spending and lower taxes lies with more co-operation between public and Roman Catholic school boards and a revised funding system.

Schools should be funded through the province and not locally generated property taxes since most programs are mandated by the province, Mr. Metz said.