TORONTO – The Conservative government is killing international language classes in our schools when they are most needed in our globalized economy, NDP Education Critic Rosario Marchese said April 26.

"The priorities of this government are ludicrous. The Conservatives are scrapping a key component for attracting business. Ontario is faced with a critical need to connect with other markets and other cultures. Giving students international language tools is the only way to keep our society competitive," said Marchese.

Toronto's Catholic and public school boards are considering scrapping daytime language classes that include Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Swahili, Spanish, Ukrainian and Vietnamese. Also at risk are daytime Black Heritage programs. School boards are being forced to deal with extreme financial pressures because of the Conservative's new funding formula.

"Studies have shown that children who grow up learning two or more languages have better language skills and acquire languages are more easily," said Marchese who speaks four languages himself. "In our multicultural society, we will be wasting a gold mine of potential if we allow the funding formula to destroy international language training for the next generation of workers and leaders."

Marchese called on the public to tell the government that language classes are a treasured program. "I have been warning the government for months that this would happen. Only public pressure will save international languages," said Marchese.

Daytime language classes are support by the public. Last year alone, various communities raised $388,000 to keep international languages alive in our schools. These language classes also provide children the opportunity to stay connected with their roots.