In line with the provisions of Bill 22 - the Education Improvement Act, government has appointed Dr. Charles Jago to mediate contract talks between the BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF) and the BC Public School Employers' Association (BCPSEA).

The B.C. legislature today passed Bill 22, the Education Improvement Act. The new legislation suspends teachers' strike action, establishes a "cooling off" period and appoints a mediator to work with the parties toward a negotiated agreement.

The Ministry of Education and the Greater Victoria school district (SD 61) have signed a project agreement to replace Oak Bay High school to better serve students and families.

Minister of Education George Abbott has issued the following statement: "Last week, I introduced Bill 22, which sets a cooling off period and suspends the teachers' union strike action while calling on the assistance of a mediator.

Minister of Education George Abbott issued a statement on Bill 22.

Government introduced Bill 22 today, the Education Improvement Act, that suspends the teachers' strike action and sets a "cooling off" period, appoints a mediator to facilitate bargaining, and implements a new $165-million Learning Improvement Fund and other enhancements to K-12 education.

The BC Public School Employers' Association (BCPSEA) board of directors has ratified two-year collective agreements for support staff in 11 school districts under the government's 2010 net-zero mandate.

B.C. students will soon be riding to school in new, cost-effective buses, as the Province distributes $10.5 million to 32 school districts to replace old buses in their fleets.