FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 5, 2005
Collège des Grands Lacs decision is wrong, says Casselman:
Union examines its options after court setback
TORONTO- The Ontario Public Service Employees Union reacted strongly to the July 4 superior court decision on Collège des Grands Lacs, which denied the union's application to declare the 2001 closing of the Toronto-based French-language college illegal and unconstitutional.
The union expressed bitter disappointment at the verdict, calling it a defeat for Ontario's francophones.
"The abrupt closing of Collège des Grands Lacs in 2001 by the Harris Conservatives had a devastating impact on francophones, particularly francophones of colour. This was not addressed in this decision," said OPSEU President Leah Casselman.
"Nor was the overwhelming support of the francophone community, with almost 60 organizations joining the coalition in support of this college, taken into account."
The government never consulted with the community, the union says, only with its own appointees on the College's board.
The union says pressure will continue. "We hope that the new Minister, Chris Bentley, will see fit to reconsider this matter instead of continuing to act like Mike Harris as his predecessor did," she said.
OPSEU is also considering its legal options.
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For information: David Cox (416) 788-9197
