Our children's future is at stake, yet their education remains a political afterthought. This stark reality was on full display at a recent Progressive Conservative leadership forum in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, where approximately 40 parents, educators, and union leaders gathered to demand answers from the two candidates vying to become the province’s next premier. Their frustration? A glaring lack of concrete plans to address what they describe as a full-blown crisis in the education system.
But here's where it gets controversial: While the candidates, Rob Lantz and Mark Ledwell, fielded over 20 questions during the forum, only two touched on education—one about post-secondary education and another about the George Coles Bursary. For a system that parents like Jen Poirier describe as “in crisis,” with students “falling through the cracks,” this seemed like a glaring oversight. Poirier, a parent from Kelvin Grove, expressed her disappointment, noting that the discussion lacked substance on how to support K-12 students. She highlighted critical issues like insufficient classroom resources, high student-to-teacher ratios, and lengthy assessment wait times—problems that, if left unaddressed, could have long-term consequences for the province’s youth.
And this is the part most people miss: The protesters, armed with signs reading “Students deserve support, not spin” and “Respect educators with resources, not slogans,” weren’t just advocating for better funding. They were calling attention to the systemic challenges faced by educational assistants, who are only paid for six hours a day despite their crucial role in student support. Colleen Jackson, president of CUPE 3260, emphasized that these assistants are often excluded from important meetings about Individual Education Programs (IEPs) and student safety plans because their work hours don’t align with when these discussions take place. “The need for this is very clear,” Jackson said, underscoring the disconnect between the demands of the job and the resources provided.
The forum, attended by over 250 people, including the protesters, was the final opportunity for Islanders to hear from the candidates before voting began. Both Lantz and Ledwell pledged to continue supporting the George Coles Bursary, a non-repayable financial aid program for post-secondary students. However, when asked about out-migration of young people, Ledwell’s response about supporting “frontline education” lacked the specifics many were hoping for. This vagueness left many in the audience feeling that education was being treated as a secondary concern rather than a top priority.
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Is it fair to expect political candidates to provide detailed solutions to complex educational issues during a leadership forum, or should the onus be on the public to hold them accountable for developing these plans later? And more importantly, what role should educators and parents play in shaping these policies? Let’s continue this conversation in the comments—your perspective matters.
As voting for the PC Party’s new leader continues, with results set to be announced at the leadership convention on Saturday, Poirier and her fellow advocates vow to keep up the pressure. They plan to attend the Public School Branch’s March meeting, determined to ensure that the voices of students, educators, and parents are not ignored. “These resources are needed,” Poirier said. “We can’t afford to wait any longer.”
About the Author: Wayne Thibodeau is a seasoned video journalist with CBC Prince Edward Island, bringing two decades of newsroom experience to his coverage of local issues. As a multi-platform journalist, Wayne can be heard on The World This Hour, seen anchoring breaking news on CBC News Network, and hosting shows like Island Morning and Mainstreet. He also reports for CBC News: Compass. Reach him at Wayne.Thibodeau@cbc.ca or follow him on X (@JWayneCBC).
