SACKVILLE, N.S. – Questions about the credibility of two NDP candidates continue to swirl.
Paul Wozney, NDP candidate in Sackville-Cobequid, and Ryan Lutes, NDP candidate in Bedford Basin, are both former presidents of the Nova Scotia Teachers’ Union (NSTU).
They have refused to stand up to their leader Claudia Chender and ask her to remove NDP candidate Ramona Jennex. As Education Minister in Darrell Dexter’s former NDP government, Jennex oversaw cuts to public education, resulting in the NSTU calling on Dexter to fire Jennex.
Both Wozney and Lutes frequently praised Premier Tim Houston in fixing the damage inflicted on public education by former Liberal Education Ministers like Zach Churchill and former NDP Education Ministers like Ramona Jennex.
“Time and time again, Paul Wozney and Ryan Lutes praised Premier Houston and his government for their performance in public education,” said Sackville-Cobequid PC candidate Paul Russell. “Voters need to ask which Paul Wozney and Ryan Lutes should they believe? The ones who praised the Houston government or the ones who stay quiet when they run for the NDP that includes classroom cutter Ramona Jennex?”
Among the comments Wozney and Lutes have said since 2022:
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“Wozney says the NSTU’s relationship with the Houston government is faring much better.” – January 6, 2022, CKBW Radio
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“This is a government that at least has begun to take teacher feedback and input very seriously and I think that bodes well.” Paul Wozney, January 6, 2022, CKBW Radio
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“President Paul Wozney says the current government’s willingness to communicate and collaborate with teachers and their union is a welcome change.” May 1, 2022, NSTU website
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“it’s promising that Premier Houston took the time to attend our Council and deliver a positive message” May 1, 2022, NSTU website
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“NSTU President Paul Wozney spoke appreciatively about how under the new regime, he was able to contact Minister Druhan directly and discuss issues of mutual interest and concern.” May 4, 2022, Grant Frost
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“He [Ryan Lutes] credited… the intervention of Houston, who spoke with the union bargaining team earlier this week, with pushing the talks ahead.” April 18, 2024, CBC
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"His [Tim Houston’s] direct involvement was absolutely helpful to get his side, his bargaining team moving in a more constructive way," [Ryan] Lutes said. April 18, 2024, CBC
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Ryan Lutes, president of the teachers union, said in an interview Thursday that the premier’s presence at the bargaining table seemed to move things along. “The premier was helpful,” Lutes said. April 18, 2024, Queens County Community Radio
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“The premier shared his commitment to improving classroom conditions, to improving work-life balance for teachers and his desire to invest in public schools, and I think that spurred his team along into eventually getting an agreement with teachers.” Ryan Lutes, Queens County Community Radio, April 18, 2024
Tim Houston is only the third Premier since the Second World War to attend an Annual Council of the Nova Scotia Teachers’ Union. The other two Premiers were Rodney MacDonald and Robert Stanfield.
There are six education professionals running for Team Tim Houston.