top of page

Resolution 181.   (Support)   

That the BCTF oppose all fracking including BC LNG and will:

1. lobby the provincial government to phase out the BC LNG program.

2. Iobby the federal government to ban all fracking.

3. encourage members to participate in anti-fracking and anti-LNG demonstrations and initiatives.

I agree fracking as a method is horrible to the environment.  I agree with moving to the elimination of fossil fuels.

I don't know what impact our opposition will have.  I wonder if it may have a greater impact supporting an organization that fracking is within their trade that opposes fracking instead.  

I wonder when our encouragement in demonstrations may get someone in jail - Would we have any responsibility to defend them legally?

Resolution182. (Likely Not-Support)

That the BCTF develop a workshop that provides elementary and secondary teachers with Iesson plan ideas on how to bring animal welfare rights and ethics education into their classes, and that this workshop be included in the list of BCTF workshops for members.

We have TeachBC to share lesson plans and ideas.

This may be a useful too for some members.  I have a personal bias when we discussing the fight for animal rights - I believe in people first.  It sickens me that people are treated horribly.  We have issues of human trafficking, poverty, homelessness, opioid crisis, battered spouses, youth suicide and drunk drivers killing people,  Before we take on animal rights as an organization we could be more active an vocal with our resources to overcome injustice for people.

Resolution 183.  (Likely Not-Support)

That the BCTF lobby the provincial government to implement and fund a plan to:

1. retrofit all public buildings for zero or near zero emissions.

2. electrify all service/utility and public transit vehicles.

3. install solar panels on all public buildings.

This is a laudable plan; however, if we are asking for funding for education at this point it should be for bargaining.

 

I could see amending the motion to develop a plan where all new buildings and vehicles are zero or near zero emissions.  When Surrey needs 20 new school just to get rid of portables, funding is better used to get students into actual school buildings before retrofitting buildings with a shorter life span.

Resolution184.   (Uncertain)

That the Federation create guidelines and resources to be shared with teachers to promote environmental sustainability in schools.

Since teachers are the federation, a committee would be tasked with creating the guidelines.  We can promote guidelines and resources through TeachBC.

If we have a package of resources to be sent to all locals or schools, that is a different motion and costing.

Resolutions 185.   (Uncertain)

That the Federation create and support guidelines to reduce GHG generated by school activity at large by 50% by 2025, including GHG secondary sources (commuting, cafeteria service, travelling, land use change, purchasing, etc.) and that the Federation call upon the provincial government and all boards of education to declare a climate emergency.

I don't see the value of creating guidelines that wouldn't apply to the whole province.  When the outside temperature is below zero for several months of the year versus several days, heating costs will be dramatically different.  We have no control over the type of heating in schools.

I do see that we can promote finding energy efficiencies; however, with tightening budgets the low hanging fruit has already been picked.  Already districts turn down heating shortly after students leave (and in some cases have to phone to have it extended so they can work in their classroom).  I am not sure this is the work of the Federation.  I don't like 'locals be encouraged to' motions, but this makes more sense done at the local level.

While I could support the motion, I don't see it having an impact in terms of us creating guidelines the districts have no impetus to follow.

In terms of the climate emergency, I don't see that the government would listen to us at all.  If we want to have a climate emergency declared, then we could add our names to a petition from the Trade Unions for Energy Democracy.  As a single bug buzzing, we won't have the same impact as a swarm.

Resolution 186.  (Uncertain)

That the Federation:

1. develop a campaign to encourage members to frequently and systematically integrate the climate emergency into their classroom lessons.

2. create and make available materials such as lesson plans and curriculum to support teachers in integrating the climate emergency in their lessons.

3. advocate for the inclusion of the climate emergency in the curriculum at all grade levels and in every subject.

I am not sure how I feel that 'frequently and systematically' impacts professional autonomy.  

I am more supportive of 3 by including it in curriculum; however, at elementary I don't think there needs to be learning goals in every subject.  We already have a large curriculum to guide students through.  I'm unsure of creating new learning objectives that could be reported on in every subject.

Resolution 187. (Support)     (Uncertain)

That the BCTF Executive Committee lobby the government to abandon its subsidies (such as tax breaks, reduced royalties, and regulatory requirements) to LNG and suspend construction of the Site C dam pending a thorough reevaluation of the project including economic and environmental impacts and its implications for the Province's commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

I support abandoning subsidies.  We should support clean energy and clean business not fossil fuel industries.

I am uncertain about the Site C dam as I don't know all the aspects to consider; however, my understanding is that it was already to far built to abandon without devastating economic consequences when the NDP took power.  Do we know what the consequences are now?  Are we willing to accept them to execute the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as abandoning the project?

I am also uncertain how moving to environmental sustainability and reducing use of fossil fuels aligns with stopping a massive clean energy project.

I am conflicted if the 9 billion expense for BC only brings us the cost of servicing that debt without future benefit of clean electricity.  While that would only be $2000 per adult in BC to pay it off in full, but we also know that many can't afford that.

I want to hear the debate to see the additional perspectives.

Resolutions 188. (Support)   

That the BCTF co-develop climate justice initiatives with teacher unions in the Tri-National Coalition in Defence of Public Education.

I agree that working together can raise the awareness and impact.

  

I am curious what else is involved in co-developing?  How much of a budget is needed for this?  Would it fit within a committee mandate and budget?

Resolution 189  (Support)   

That locals be encouraged to directly engage and collaborate with school boards to align schools with addressing the climate emergency by advancing green initiatives such as:

  • converting school board vans and vehicle fleets to full electric.

  • equipping school parking lots with electric vehicle chargers.

  • bargaining eco-transit benefits for staff who do not use a car to commute.

  • phasing out natural gas for heat and hot water in our school buildings and replacing it with solar panels and geo-thermal sources.

  • ensuring no new schools should be on fossil fuel gas.

  • investing in solar panels to power electric furnaces, heat pumps or geo-thermal.

  • supporting our school cafeterias to be mass purchasing local food.

These initiatives make wise use of investments.  This creates the go forward plan.

Resolution 190.  (Support)   

That the Federation Executive Committee lobby the government to direct a portion of revenue from the carbon tax to fund green and carbon reducing technology in schools and school districts.

This makes sense to put the funds into reducing the cost of running the network of public schools.

Resolution 191.  (Support)   

That the BCTF lobby the provincial government to develop a fare-free, expanded, and electrified public transit system across the province and in each municipality.

It doesn't hurt to lobby the government for ideals of a better future.

I struggle with fare free systems.  Those that have access benefit those that don't pay for it.  Vancouver has amazing bus service to 3 to 7 minute levels on major routes.  It has multiple skytrain routes as well.  Near me, the service is 30 minutes during peak times and 1 hour on weekends.  

I'm also not sure of the value to lobby for an increase cost to the province when we can't get education funded properly.  Once public education is funded, I would be more willing to encourage other spending so it is not in competition for the funding we need.

Resolution 192. (Support see 189)   

That locals be encouraged to directly engage and co-operate with school boards to align schools with the climate emergency by advancing green initiatives such as: 

  • converting school board vans and vehicle fleets to full electric.

  • equipping school parking lots with electric vehicle chargers.

  • bargaining eco-transit benefits for staff who don't use a car to commute.

  • phasing out natural gas for heat and hot water in our school buildings.

  • phasing out gas-powered leaf blowers.

  • ensuring no new schools should be on gas

  • investing in solar panels to power electric furnaces, heat pumps, or geo-thermal.

  • supporting our school cafeterias to be mass purchasing local food.

bottom of page