The usual, in other words.

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Um, I don’t think so.

I hope Messrs. Crone et al. do not mind me reprinting a pared-down part of the Star’s excellent regular subsciption-based publication. Bolding added for your elucidation.  Link to the interview, here.

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“[Ontario Liberal leadership candidate Kathleen] Wynne says Sam Hammond, the head of the elementary teachers union, is “absolutely right” and the process that led to imposed contracts under Bill 115 is “flawed”…Wynne made the comments Thursday in an interview  with Matt Galloway of CBC Radio’s Metro Morning.

Her comments were swamped by the announcement later that morning Murray was dropping out of the leadership race. Wynne’s conciliatory comments toward the teachers were made even as her government was taking its case to the Ontario Labour Relations Board to get the planned walkout stopped.

The walkout was called off early Friday after the board ruled it would be an “unlawful strike.”

…[Wynne] responded to a question about what can be done to repair the relationship with teachers:

“Well, I think Sam (Hammond) is absolutely right, that we need now to have the conversation about what comes next,” Wynne said. “There needs to be a respectful process and that needs to be finalized.”

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More support moves to Pupatello campaign

For Immediate Release

TORONTO, January 11, 2013 – Sandra Pupatello’s campaign for leadership of the Ontario Liberal party picked up two new, key, endorsements today.

Hon. Belinda Stronach, former federal Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and former MP for Newmarket-Aurora, threw her support behind Pupatello. “I believe the people of Ontario are looking for the fresh new approaches and solid economic credentials that Sandra Pupatello brings,” said Stronach. “That’s why I strongly endorse her as the next Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and as the next Premier of Ontario.”

“Sandra has a rare combination of public, private and non-profit sector experience, giving her a broad overview of what makes our province tick,” continued Stronach. “More importantly, she understands that enhanced economic development and global trade are the keys to our future.”

Key organizer and candidate for Burlington, Karmel Sakran, also declared his support for Sandra’s campaign.

“I’ve knocked on just about every door in Burlington. I know that Sandra is the best candidate to speak to these voters, understand them and win back this riding,” said Sakran. “She’s got the experience and leadership we need to move Ontario forward.”

Karmel Sakran joins Team Pupatello from the campaign team of Glen Murray, who recently dropped out of the race. He’s the second prominent Murray supporter to join Pupatello’s campaign in as many days. Yesterday, Murray campaign co-chair and former Cabinet minister Hon. Elinor Caplan also endorsed Pupatello.

Both Caplan and Sakran hold ex-officio delegate status for the upcoming leadership convention.

“I’m honoured to welcome Belinda and Karmel to the team,” said Sandra Pupatello. “They bring unparalleled experience, dedication and enthusiasm to our campaign.”

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McGuinty was right. The renegade unions were wrong. Their “protest” was and is illegal.

There’s a lesson, here, for a couple Ontario Liberal leadership candidates, I’d say.

UPDATE: Comment from a teacher:

“AT WORK AND LOVING EVERY SECOND OF IT!

Sam Hammond is a disgrace and this ruling should be considered a repudiation of so much of his rhetoric and ETFO’s position.

Get the eff out of the way and just let me do my job, Sam.”

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Are you like me, and are you now completely and totally fed up when writers write “here’s the thing” in their prose?

What does it mean, really? “Pay attention to what comes next”? “This next part is what I think is important”? “I’m clearing my throat, in writing”? “Yes, I’m just as pretentious and faddish as everyone else”?

I do it, too, so don’t think that I’m with the angels, on this. But, here’s the thing: I, er, hereby pledge not to do it anymore.

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TORONTO – Ontario Liberal legend Elinor Caplan has declared her support for leadership contender Sandra Pupatello.

Caplan, who had previously been associated with Glen Murray, today said she has today enthusiastically joined Team Pupatello.

“She is the best candidate in the race,” said Caplan, a former senior Ontario cabinet minister. “She is the candidate who knows how to beat both PCs and New Democrats. She is the candidate who can win.”

Caplan said that she has known, and worked with, Pupatello for many years. “I respect Sandra very much,” said Caplan. “She is a remarkable person, and an outstanding leader. She is the one who can win in every part of the province. She has never lost an election, in her many years in politics.”

Elinor Caplan, PC, served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1985 to 1997, and was a Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons from 1997 to 2004. A proud Liberal, she served as a cabinet minister in the provincial government of David Peterson and the federal government of Jean Chrétien.

“Sandra’s a winner!” said Caplan. “I urge all delegates and delegates-to-be to join her team!”

“I’m thrilled that Elinor is joining our team,” said Pupatello. “Her passion, dedication and experience are invaluable. We’re running a great campaign with grassroots support across the province.”

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Whatever does it mean? Stay tuned!

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Musically, this song is amazing.  Video arresting, too.  Put it on Facebook a few days ago.  Now doing likewise here.

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Personally, I think his move effectively disenfranchises the hundreds of good Liberals who stood up to support him.  Those people have been left in the lurch, and will now likely be forced to become “independents” – meaning they will have precious little chance of being elected anywhere this weekend.

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It’s breaking the law.

It’s not a “democratic protest.” That’s bullshit.

Let there be no mistake: they are breaking the law.

Ontario Liberal leadership candidates who equivocate on this should know they are hereafter being defined by that. You can’t have it both ways: you can’t aspire to be the chief lawmaker and then side with law breaking. Everyone knows who I am talking about.

We either favour the rule of law or we don’t.

My candidate, my Premier, do.

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