Ontario premier would welcome U.S. education secretary if visit rescheduled
TORONTO — Ontario’s premier said she’d welcome U.S. President Donald Trump’s education secretary to visit the province’s public schools if she chooses to reschedule a cancelled trip, even though she disagrees with some of Betsy DeVos’ positions.
Kathleen Wynne said Friday that she was looking forward to an opportunity to show DeVos a strong, publicly funded education system.
DeVos cancelled a planned visit for Thursday and Friday this week just one day in advance, citing “scheduling issues,” though the U.S. Department of Education noted the trip had merely been postponed.
The visit had caused some controversy in Ontario, where teachers’ unions expressed concerns over DeVos’ advocacy for school choice, including vouchers that allow kids to attend publicly funded but privately operated charter schools, or private schools on the public dime.