N.B. premier clarifies comments about sending his children to public schools
Higgs told Radio-Canada he’d be ‘concerned’ if daughters attended provincial schools today
Premier Blaine Higgs has clarified recent comments he made about how he'd be hesitant to send his children to New Brunswick public schools if they were pre-teens today.
In a statement, Higgs said his comments were not aimed at teachers and that he wants to work with educators to improve the system.
"The vast majority of teachers across the province work hard, and go above and beyond to help give students the best possible experience in school," he said.
During a June 7 interview with Radio-Canada, Higgs was asked how he'd feel about sending his four daughters to public schools today.
"I'd be concerned, yeah," he said, mentioning that two of his four adult daughters live in the province and have children of their own.
"We seem to be deviating from curriculum. We seem to not have the standards. I know teachers are struggling with discipline in classes."
Asked why he hadn't already addressed the issues during his six years in power, Higgs said, "It hasn't gotten better and no one's been addressing the issues until now."
The comments attracted little attention until Brunswick News cited them this week, quoting opposition party leaders, district education councils and the New Brunswick Teachers' Association criticizing the comments.
Asked for a comment on Higgs's clarification, NBTA president Peter Lagacy didn't acknowledge the new statement.
"It is unfortunate that the focus has been on matters other than retaining experienced teachers and creating a positive atmosphere to attract new ones," he said in a written statement of his own.
"It begs the question why New Brunswickers are being taken down a path of distractions and mistrust."
New Brunswick Teachers' Association president Peter Lagacy said Higgs's original statement was unfortunate. (Zoom)
Higgs did not apologize for his June 7 comments or retract them but said he was "voicing my frustration with certain elements" of the school system.
"Honestly, I do have some frustration with the system. As I said in the original interview, I do have concerns, just like many parents and teachers across the province, and I think speaking out about them is important."
He pointed out he made the comments in the days after a controversy about a sexual education workshop that some parents complained about.
"Concerns can be addressed with parents, educators and government working together," he said, pointing to a recently announced ban on cellphones in classrooms.
He also thanked teachers. "Please know the investment you are making in the future leaders of our province is greatly appreciated," he said.
In the June 7 interview, Higgs cited not just what he called deviations from provincial curriculum but also disruptive behaviour and other concerns that sometimes require a police presence in schools.
"This didn't happen overnight, either, and it didn't just start six years ago," he said. "This has been a kind of evolution.
"We've removed the authority of teachers, gradually. The whole respect for authority has changed and I think teachers are the brunt of that."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
"In 2019, Premier Blaine Higgs suggested Cardy was too forceful in his criticism of the Confucius Institutes. "
Now Higgs wants to work with teachers to improve the Education system? Why hasn’t he been doing this for the past 6 years? For 6 years he’s refused to collaborate with others, whether it be public servants, his own MLAs, subject matter experts - basically refusing to collaborate with anybody. Perhaps he’s now talking about working with others because he sees the writing on the wall and fears his days in the Premier’s office are nearing the end. Whatever the case, New Brunswickers cannot trust him to change his authoritarian ways.
Jos Allaire
Reply to Jim Lake
Higgs does not work with anyone. It's his way or the highway.
David Webb
Reply to Jim Lake
Time will tell I guess. Please don't think your constant opinionated and biased comments will change people's memories of liberal tax and spend. The debt is hog tying what could be additional funds for health care and education. If a government can't, at the very least balance a budget and pay down some debt, without taxing the makers out of the province, things will only continue to worsen.
Jim Lake
Reply to David Webb
Opinionated and biased … that describes every Higgs defender on this site, that can only reference debt reduction as anything he’s accomplished.
I have never once suggested a government not do things to reduce debt load … but successful governance is a balance to also ensure appropriate spending to support growth, maintain infrastructure etc, and requires the ability to work with others … Higgs has never had a balanced approach to governing and repeatedly displays his unwillingness to listen to or work with others. This is not successful governance - New Brunswick does not need or want a premier that simply refuses to work for ALL New Brunswickers, something that Higgs has failed to do.
MR Cain
Reply to David Webb
Paying down the debt should be a standard line item in the budget, like most people who are paying off personal debt. You don't starve the kids to pay the mortgage.
Bobby Richards
Reply to Jim Lake
Probably because Outhouse told him to try to make an attempt to smooth things out or else he wouldn't get the teachers vote in October.
But Higgs made himself look like the victim as usual.
David Amos
Reply to Jos Allaire
No doubt the Irvings would disagree with you
Jos Allaire
Reply to David Amos
I stand corrected.
Our taxpayers money is being wasted in Outhouse.
Lou Bell
Content Deactivated
Reply to Graham McCormack
Lou Bell
Content Deactivated
Reply to Lou Bell
Jos Allaire
Reply to Lou Bell
No, the outhouse is working for Higgs.
David Webb
Reply to Graham McCormack
Outright misinformation on your part.
Graham McCormack
Reply to David Webb
Nope
David Amos
Reply to David Webb
Nay not so
Hey Outhouse, what’s a curriculum by the way.
Outhouse: it’s a buzzword that deflects from what you said previously. Just use it as much as possible, Hogan is doing the same thing.
Higgs: But what if someone looks into it, after all I have no idea what it is.
Outhouse; don’t worry I'm sure you’ll start something else soon and everyone will forget about it. Now about that sex ed thingy.
"I'd be concerned, yeah," he said, mentioning that two of his four adult daughters live in the province and have children of their own.
"We seem to be deviating from curriculum. We seem to not have the standards. I know teachers are struggling with discipline in classes."
Asked why he hadn't already addressed the issues during his six years in power, Higgs said, "It hasn't gotten better and no one's been addressing the issues until now."
The comments attracted little attention until Brunswick News cited them this week, quoting opposition party leaders, district education councils and the New Brunswick Teachers' Association criticizing the comments.
Asked for a comment on Higgs's clarification, NBTA president Peter Lagacy didn't acknowledge the new statement."
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