middling results and slow progress for students in Ontario during the era of the Education Premier.
Following the defeat of the Bob Rae government, Conservative premier Mike Harris introduced standardized testing and from 1995 to 1999, results showed significant testing improvement.
However, following the defeat of the Conservatives under Ernie Eves, test scores have remained relatively stagnant — despite complaints that the tests themselves have been watered down.
“They came up with, I think, a pretty good curriculum, especially in math,” Doretta Wilson, with the Society for Quality Education, said of the Harris Tories.
“Over time, that curriculum has been revised and I think diluted a little bit.”
In some respects the late 90s don’t seem so bad right now.
Audio Entirely Bogus
Today Michael ignatieff in his first official press conference of the campaign spoke glowingly about his political idol former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. However they might have disagreed on one element of Pearson’s legacy at least in a previous life.
Before ignatieff entered politics he had some pretty harsh words to say about one of Pearson’s most proud achievements peacekeeping.
From Maclean’s
Following a 2005 lecture at the University of Dublin’s Trinity College, Ignatieff excoriated Canadians for trading on Canada’s “entirely bogus reputation as peacekeepers” for 40 years and for favouring “hospitals and schools and roads” over international citizenship. “If you are a human rights defender and you want something done to stop [a] massacre, you have to go to the Pentagon, because no one else is serious,” Ignatieff said.
In all fairness ignatieff by now is probably changed his position and his tune on the subject but it is a perfect example of how flexible you have to be with your ideas when entering public life.
Latest Conservative Ad
I’ll call this the ballot question Ad, it looks like conservatives are kicking it into high gear and quickly defining the themes of the campaign as well as reinforcing the prime minister in a positive light. Also if you like humorous animation check this out.
In addition go over to Renegade Tory and check out her latest post it pretty much sums up what the conservative grassroots are aiming for this election.
Ignatieff Not Clear On Coalition
Today Michael Ignatieff is still noncommittal about forming a coalition with the opposition . Check out this aggressive reporter going after Ignatieff on the coalition question. Fast-forward to minutes 626 in the video.
Election or Bust for the Liberals
Looking from afar even Aaron Goldstein of the American Spectator can’t understand why Canadians are about to be plunged into another federal election. He argues any way you slice it the election will end badly for Michael ignatieff and the Liberals.
From American Spectator
Frankly, I don’t understand why the Liberals have decided to topple the government now. After all, a poll that was released last weekend by Nanos Research had the Conservatives leading the Liberals by double digits (38.6% to 27.6%). Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff is also the least trusted of the three major national political leaders. Ignatieff is well behind both Harper and New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jack Layton on that score.
It is also worth noting that according to a poll done by Ipsos-Reid half of all Canadians do not want an election at this time. Indeed, if the Tory government falls it will be the third election in a little over five years.