Public high school students could be playing sports as soon as they return from March break.
The Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation voted on a motion Friday afternoon to return sports and clubs to schools. Teachers unions originally withdrew support for extracurricular activities in protest of the province’s decision to legislate the terms of their contract.
The withdrawal of support impacted this year’s winter season for boys basketball, girls volleyball, Nordic skiing and wrestling.
"I'm happy to hear the results of today's vote by OSSTF members, and I'm so glad that teachers, support staff and students across the province will once again enjoy the extracurricular activities and programs that mean so much to them,” Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne said in a media release.
“Today's news is a great indication of the hard work all parties are putting into the repair of this valued relationship. It shows our willingness to work together, to listen to one another's concerns, and to find common ground on which we can rebuild a foundation of trust and create an effective process going forward.”
Wynne took over from outgoing premier Dalton McGuinty and Liz Sandals replaced Laurel Broten as Ontario’s education minister.
David Pineau, activities director for Lakehead Public Schools and Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, said with the new minister and premier, talks between the province and the unions have been positive.
Although he wasn’t aware of what was being discussed, he said he was cautiously optimistic.
“If we can get the teams back to practicing before the March break perhaps there would be some opportunities immediately following the break we can run some sort of modified season,” Pineau said prior to the announcement.
“We’ll have to hold an emergency meeting within 24 hours of any decision in order get things planned and going.”
Although students could be playing again soon, not all sports teams will be attending the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association events.
That’s because the due date for teams to apply is this weekend, he said.
“We’re just excited to offer some opportunities and go full steam with the spring season,” he said.
“I believe only one OSSAA event was cancelled due to a lack of a convener. We’re sending some students in the region.”
He that added a number of schools from the city’s Catholic board will be attending the OFSAA events.
