Quebec teachers push back over funding ahead of talks

Quebec teachers are calling on the province to ramp up its spending on education, saying the commitment made inthe government's latesteconomic update doesn't go far enough.

"We need real investment. Wewantto hear what that investment willbe," Richard Goldfinch, the president of the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers, said alongside fellow union leadersin Quebec City.

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On Thursday,Finance Minister CarlosLeitaosaidthe government will re-invest $100 million in education over the coming months:$20 million this fiscal yearand anadditional $80 million annually, beginning in 2016-2017.

Those amounts representan increase in education spendingof just 0.12 per centfor the rest of this fiscal year and 0.5 per centnext year.

The finance minister made it clear that the new spending will go to front-line services for students most in need and not to teachers' salaries.

'Rethink your stance'

Teachers, who have been already been on strike for several days so far this school year,have been without a contract since last April.

Goldfinch said the teachers' fight is about more than their own salaries.

"We're saying to the province, rethink your stance, your austerity measures," Goldfinch said.

"Parents have joined us in many human chains across the province."

Talks between teachers and the province are planned for the weekend.

Another strike day is planned for Dec. 9.