Human Resources committee  It needs to not be a stand-alone thing. We have to teach financial literacy. We have to look at how we can incorporate it within what is already happening. It's happening informally now, but I think it can't be an add-on, because there is just not time in the day or time in the s

Human Resources committee  I can begin by saying I taught kindergarten for 13 years in Bathurst, and that is certainly my experience. I know we see the discrepancy in skills of students arriving in kindergarten, and the statistics are there, because the assessments are done. My experience is in New Brunswi

Human Resources committee  I think what you said is essential, that it not be totally structured.

Human Resources committee  I entered teaching kindergarten when New Brunswick brought in in, and it was, I'll say, totally an experience-based grade. That has transitioned. Kindergarten really is the new grade one. Kids are expected to leave reading. I always say they come in as babies and leave reading, a

Human Resources committee  To begin, I just want to say yes, teachers are often the first to identify, but they're also the first to have that sincere interest. In 2014 we did a survey at CTF that asked teacher respondents what they felt CTF should be advocating for at the national level. The first thing

Human Resources committee  Thank you very much. Thank you for the opportunity to present today. We're pleased that the government has committed to developing a national poverty reduction plan and, while our focus today will be on education, I do believe there needs to be a broad, more societal, multi-face

Finance committee  All right. I'll start, and maybe Mr. McGahey, if permitted, will finish. I do want to say that the Canadian Teachers' Federation, for the most part, does not represent teachers in first nations schools on reserve. However, we do represent teachers who teach the many first nation

Finance committee  Do you mean the university textbook credit?

Finance committee  Well, we're representing K-to-12 education, but I can comment as a parent of a student in university. Yes, I'm aware of it.

Finance committee  I can't comment on that in my role as president. As my role as a parent, yes, I'll see the difference in my taxes next year.

Finance committee  I'm going to pass that one to Mr. McGahey.

Finance committee  Well, it certainly does. If we're not going to put our support behind our youth, then I think the future of our country is certainly in jeopardy.

Finance committee  I can tell you that I was a teacher—a teaching principal, actually—in rural New Brunswick until June of 2015, so I know very well the effects of poverty on a child's learning. When you have children arriving at school without having had breakfast or perhaps not a healthy supper t

Finance committee  Thank you for the opportunity to address you regarding Bill C-15. My name is Heather Smith, and I am president of the Canadian Teachers' Federation. With me here today is Bob McGahey, CTF director of advocacy and labour rights. After our comments, we do have a written brief tha