Another 155 teachers receive surplus letters as Ford deflects questions about cuts

Just one day after hundreds of teachers in Peel Region received word that they would no longer have permanent positions come September, over 150 morein neighbouringHalton Region learned they face a similar fate, the union representing them says.

Kathy Proctor, vice president of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario's Haltonbranch, told CBC News155 elementary school teachers received layoff notices Wednesday, with the cuts being attributed to "uncertainty over funding to the school board for next year."

Proctor saidthe Halton District School Board notified the union about possible cuts at the end of March. The board did not respond to inquiries fromCBC News Wednesday.

"In my memory of over 28 years working for the HDSB, no elementary teacher has ever lost their job due to layoffs.
Obviously, for those teachers who received letters today, this is tremendously upsetting and unsettling news," she said.

News follows minister calling cuts 'regular occurrence'

News of the lettersfollowed a heated discussion at the Legislature, where Premier Doug Ford was asked directly about teacher cuts by NDP MP Sarah Singh, and appeared to deflect the question, choosing instead of to laudUnited Conservative Party premier-designateJason Kenney'swin in the Alberta election.

A day earlier in the Legislature, Education Minister Lisa Thompson downplayed questions about teacher cuts, calling them a "regular occurrence."

"Year in and year out, school boards across this province take a look at their roster, they take a look at how many people are retiring, they take a look at how many people are coming back into the classroom from coaching ... That's what's happening right now," Thompson said, when asked by NDPLeader Andrea Horwath about the cuts.

"This is not routine," countered Mike Bettiol, who represents Peel high school teachersfortheOntario Secondary School Teachers' Federation.

In a statement, Kayla Iafelice said the province is adding $1.6 billion in "attrition protection" to help manage the changes.

At least one school board, however, has concerns about whether that funding will go far enough.

"The messaging we're receiving around what the funding isgoing to be doesn't match what the minister is saying about no loss of jobs," said Peel District School Board human resources superintendentJamie Robertson.