One of the problems that I see with the way in which teachers are compensated is that they can get increases in salary for courses taken beyond the level needed to carry out their duties. At the university level, most professors are required to have achieved doctoral level certification (including a written, defended thesis) and any more study does not automatically get them more salary unless they take on administrative positions requiring a higher level of expertise. The latest concerns of the on-line courses which resulted in higher salaries for teachers is a case in point. Unless the additional certifications were required to allow them to carry out their normal teaching duties, this process allows them to become a burden on the limited educational funds available and will be a long-term burden on the pension plan because of the increased pensions they will collect as a result. Some years ago I was told by a member of the Teachers Union executive that an engineering professor making $25,000 a year at that time, with 14 years experience and a Ph.D. would make $40,000 a year as a teacher if they completed a one year education degree. There is something wrong with a system that works in such a manner.
As an immigrant I can say that the people of NS are the kindest, most caring on earth. However, at the institutional and government level, there are far too many barriers to promotion of people from ‘away’.
Excellent article in the March 9th Chronicle Herald on Immigration. There is so much to be said on the subject. For the brief purpose of this email I will say simply:
1. Since the article was published Nova Scotia has cancelled the International Graduate Stream of the N.S. Nominee Program!!
2. The age cap of 55 years is an affront to all people who have spent a career acquiring skill, experience, ethics, and wealth and who still have several remaining active / youthful years to turn that priceless talent into opportunity for Nova Scotia and Nova Scotians.
3. The quota of 700 families should be raised to 5000 families to make the kind of difference your article astutely and eloquently identifies.
4. There is a desperate need for an entrepreneur stream in the Nova Scotia Nominee Program.
5. Nova Scotia does far too little, if anything at all, to go out into the broad world to promote immigration and to attract to Nova Scotia worthy immigration candidates.
I could go on and perhaps will at another time. Thanks very much for a strong article. It could not be more timely.
it’s not just about immigration though. We need our existing families to grow. Remember when Quebec started the baby bonus? So many laughed about it. But it has turned out to be a great thing for Quebec, as well as the provincial daycare strategy. I think that if we want to boost our population, we need to look at these things. Personally, I stopped after one child because I can’t afford $800/month in daycare, which is what I was paying. For me, it is a choice between keeping a roof over my head and that. Friends of mine who live in Quebec have 2 or 3 kids. Daycare costs are not a barrier to them like they are for us.
Better day care is a solution but don’t be tricked into thinking that the state can run all the cradles. A properly regulated free market, with tax incentives to build new day cares is, in the long term, less problematic then eventual province-wide strikes of unionized daycare workers.
The state is kind of like bacon: great, but too much of it is not good for you. But my sympathies to your dilemma.
Another great article, this time on the need to increase immigration in the province. I agree with your points, especially that relating to the need for employment opportunities that will attract – and keep – qualified immigrants to our shores.
Having said that, there is no doubt that there needs to be a highly coordinated effort on many fronts, so it’s interesting to note that the government recently cancelled job postings within the Office of Immigration. One would think that if we are to achieve the level of coordination that will be needed to ensure success, the Office of Immigration would be a good starting point.
Thanks for all of your insightful articles, and keep them coming.
One of the problems that I see with the way in which teachers are compensated is that they can get increases in salary for courses taken beyond the level needed to carry out their duties. At the university level, most professors are required to have achieved doctoral level certification (including a written, defended thesis) and any more study does not automatically get them more salary unless they take on administrative positions requiring a higher level of expertise. The latest concerns of the on-line courses which resulted in higher salaries for teachers is a case in point. Unless the additional certifications were required to allow them to carry out their normal teaching duties, this process allows them to become a burden on the limited educational funds available and will be a long-term burden on the pension plan because of the increased pensions they will collect as a result. Some years ago I was told by a member of the Teachers Union executive that an engineering professor making $25,000 a year at that time, with 14 years experience and a Ph.D. would make $40,000 a year as a teacher if they completed a one year education degree. There is something wrong with a system that works in such a manner.
Ron Gilkie | May 16, 2014 |
As an immigrant I can say that the people of NS are the kindest, most caring on earth. However, at the institutional and government level, there are far too many barriers to promotion of people from ‘away’.
Albert | July 18, 2013 |
Albert thank you very much for your comment
Bill Black
Bill | July 18, 2013 |
Excellent article in the March 9th Chronicle Herald on Immigration. There is so much to be said on the subject. For the brief purpose of this email I will say simply:
1. Since the article was published Nova Scotia has cancelled the International Graduate Stream of the N.S. Nominee Program!!
2. The age cap of 55 years is an affront to all people who have spent a career acquiring skill, experience, ethics, and wealth and who still have several remaining active / youthful years to turn that priceless talent into opportunity for Nova Scotia and Nova Scotians.
3. The quota of 700 families should be raised to 5000 families to make the kind of difference your article astutely and eloquently identifies.
4. There is a desperate need for an entrepreneur stream in the Nova Scotia Nominee Program.
5. Nova Scotia does far too little, if anything at all, to go out into the broad world to promote immigration and to attract to Nova Scotia worthy immigration candidates.
I could go on and perhaps will at another time. Thanks very much for a strong article. It could not be more timely.
Lee Cohen | March 23, 2013 |
it’s not just about immigration though. We need our existing families to grow. Remember when Quebec started the baby bonus? So many laughed about it. But it has turned out to be a great thing for Quebec, as well as the provincial daycare strategy. I think that if we want to boost our population, we need to look at these things. Personally, I stopped after one child because I can’t afford $800/month in daycare, which is what I was paying. For me, it is a choice between keeping a roof over my head and that. Friends of mine who live in Quebec have 2 or 3 kids. Daycare costs are not a barrier to them like they are for us.
Cecile | March 22, 2013 |
Better day care is a solution but don’t be tricked into thinking that the state can run all the cradles. A properly regulated free market, with tax incentives to build new day cares is, in the long term, less problematic then eventual province-wide strikes of unionized daycare workers.
The state is kind of like bacon: great, but too much of it is not good for you. But my sympathies to your dilemma.
Kevin McDonald | February 1, 2014 |
Another great article, this time on the need to increase immigration in the province. I agree with your points, especially that relating to the need for employment opportunities that will attract – and keep – qualified immigrants to our shores.
Having said that, there is no doubt that there needs to be a highly coordinated effort on many fronts, so it’s interesting to note that the government recently cancelled job postings within the Office of Immigration. One would think that if we are to achieve the level of coordination that will be needed to ensure success, the Office of Immigration would be a good starting point.
Thanks for all of your insightful articles, and keep them coming.
John | March 10, 2013 |
Perhaps the immigration numbers are down because there are too few places of work (and heaven knows, the public sector is full-up).
Gordon a.... | March 9, 2013 |