Thousands of teachers spent the majority of the day making a slow trek around Province House in Halifax .
The ultimate hope to change the minds of government and stop Bill 75 which will impose a contract on the Nova Scotia Teachers Union and their 9,300 members.
Kelly Slade has been a teacher for more than 20 years.
She says government isn’t listening. “I mean I want my government to represent my views, I absolutely do. I want my MLA to cross the floor. I want him to hear what I say. But I’m not here for them, I’m here for kids.”
She says despite today’s outcome, she couldn’t be happier to march with her colleagues.
“Couldn’t be prouder. Democracy will not die on my watch.”
Pride is a common theme among the crowd.
Slade believes deep down Premier Stephen McNeil knows this bill is wrong.
She says what happens over the next few days will have a profound effect on how she votes in the next provincial election.
Meanwhile, a group of about 200 substitute and full-time teachers rallied at Bridgewater Junior-Senior High School.
First VP of the NSTU Local and teacher at Aspotogan Consolidated, Mai-Ling Storm, says she’s not expecting the Liberals to change their vote.
But, she hasn’t given up hope.
“I hope that they’re listening to their constituents that have voted for them and whose voices they are supposed to be representing.”
Storm says there are major issues teachers face across the province.
“Violence in the workplace amongst students, attendance and the accountability that comes with those things that teachers don’t really have the power or the authority to change.”
The bill was moved ahead this afternoon to third reading in the Nova Scotia Legislature by a 24-13 vote.
MLAs will return to Province House for final debate and vote beginning at 12:01 Tuesday morning.
