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Re: Ministry Statistics show a gap in SD5 teachers’ wages

Re: Ministry Statistics show a gap in SD5 teachers’ wages on January 11, 2018
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Re: Ministry Statistics show a gap in SD5 teachers’ wages on January 11, 2018

There is not a wage gap. I agree that there is likely a difference in the number of males vs females that have masters degrees. But I would say this is changing. Recently, fifteen teachers (myself included) from the Elk Valley (10 females) completed a two-year Masters of Education in Leadership and Administration in Fernie through Gonzaga University. Two years before that, the same program was offered in Cranbrook. There may not be one every year but there are options through various educational institutions on a regular basis. While myself and others travelled to Fernie to complete our masters, two other female colleagues were completing their masters online.

We knew there would be sacrifices but we were prepared to do that for two years. Ms. Sullivan stated women are “flat-out accused of abandoning their families.” This is a very unfair comment to make as I did not feel like I was ever accused of abandoning my family. Yes, sacrifices were made during our pursuit of further education and sometimes we felt like we were not the best moms at times but there were males in the program that felt the same way while their families made sacrifices.

The current salary grid system is established and it is non-discriminatory as indicated by Mr. Norum. Suggesting that teachers be paid based on something different would, in my opinion, open up many more problems for potential unfair treatment. I’m curious what sort of payscale system Ms. Sullivan would suggest to fix this wage gap for teachers in SD5? There is not this wage difference only in SD5. It exists across the province and if you dig deeper – across Canada.

Renee MacCormack



Phil McLachlan

About the Author: Phil McLachlan

Phil McLachlan is the editor at the Penticton Western News. He served as the reporter, and eventually editor of The Free Press newspaper in Fernie.
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