According to the dictionary, a cartel is an association of manufacturers or suppliers with the purpose of maintaining prices at a high level and restricting competition. The provision of elementary and secondary public education falls into the category of a cartel in most jurisdictions, but the Ontario education cartel is more entrenched than most -- primarily because of provincial legislation that gives it a greater than usual amount of protection.
There are four principal members of the Ontario education cartel: the unions; the school boards; the faculties of education; and the ministry of education. In addition, there is an alphabet soup of other bodies that help glue the cartel together.
The Ontario education unions, especially the teachers' unions, are arguably the most influential members of the cartel. Their mission is to improve their members' pay, benefits, and working conditions, and this they do very effectively -- keeping education prices very high. These unions have huge political clout because they contribute millions of dollars to political candidates and parties every year, and as well they field an army of door-knockers and phone-callers at election time. Because of their political power, the unions can and do influence Ontario politicians to support policies that suit the cartel. (more...)
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