Teachers’ MLSE Sale Perfectly Timed

"cashing in." That's all, why bother adding all the extra "filler" to the article..

It was a scheme to increase its value just on words alone.

"systemic funding problems" = ponzi scheme?

Dear Carmi Levy,
Teachers do not have any say on how the Pension Fund is being managed; thus your constant reference to "teacher's selling" is erroneous and deeply flawed. The "teachers" do not make any decisions on sales and acquisitions. If you have cannot write a proper article, I suggest you go to school, perhaps in the Catholic System, where you might learn some ethical tips on journalistic integrity. The Pension Fund has been one of the best managed funds in Canada....the moves they make are well calculated.
"The plan pays out $1.8 billion more annually than it takes in contributions." Yes...the rest comes from investments and compound interest. The Ontario teacher's federation, "sponsors", does not contribute. In fact, teachers pay for the federation; a federation most teachers have very little respect for. The Ontario government does not pay into the pension fund; they pay for their salaries, as it does for all professional public servants.
Anyone who complains about teachers’ salaries and their workload… you are welcomed to try teaching 80-100 students a day with all their individualistic needs and wants. But don’t forget, you must deal with their parents who think that their child can do not wrong and their child is the most important kid in the class. Furthermore, you will have to constantly try new methods of teaching that the Government and Federation thinks might work better, only to change it again. Don’t forget, after school, you have a school team or club to run. When that finishes you can go home…but wait, you still have to grade essays and tests and prepare for the next day. Remember also, that you have a home and a family who needs your attention as well. However, before you can actually teach, you will have to attain a 3-4 university degree, followed by a 1-2 year Teacher’s College Certificate. Let’s not forget that to enter Teacher’s College, you will need to have at least an above 85% average. Once you get your certificate, you will need to compete against thousands of other qualified teachers to get a regular assignment. Once you become a full-time teacher, you will need to continue to educate yourself if you want to get more pay or if you want to gain more responsibilities.
If you think this is easy, by all means, please apply.
As in every profession, there are a few individual teachers who get into the profession for the wrong reasons…However, the vast majority of teachers enter into the profession because they love their jobs and take pride when a student of theirs succeeds; they are equally saddened when a child fails.

Stan S, if you had any idea about what you were saying you may have a leg to stand on. You are more than welcome to take a walk down this yellow brick road, just go to teachers college if you had the undergrad marks to get in, or if you even have a higher education. Next enter a career that is one of the more competitive fields out there. Now in the job, try your best everyday to teach but also make up for the short falls of parents who have no idea what they are doing, or don't care enough to actually parent. Do this for 30 years, then tell me if the pension is too much. You probably work in an office playing solitaire all day, for more than teachers get paid. Meanwhile, your kids are at school causing problems because they have a father who is clearly a moron!

The question here should be, why are 2 competitors joining forces to buy MLSE. If BCE and Rogers join forces they will be huge in the media world, meaning they could manipulate the population through these media outlets. What I'm getting at is that they could manipulate an election in favor of a politician that would give them grants or tell the CRTC how to rule on certain situations in favor of Rogers or Bell. You will definately have increases in Cable, satelite, cell and internet. This monopoly should not be allowed.

Can someone please explain why the Maple Laughs are the most valuable team in the NHL when they haven't won the Stanley Cup since 1967? My favourite sports team, The Arsenal Football Club haven't won any silverware since 2005 and some of our fans want the Board of Directors shot & the Managers head on a spike! Just asking!

FYI most teachers do not retire with a full pension since they have either stayed home with their own children or have gone into teaching as a second career. We contribute a lot of our money towards our Pension plan. We have also had to make extra contributions over the past few years because of shortfalls in our plan.

It is time for a reality check for our teachers and our beloved Dalton..there is no reason to justify taxpayers paying $17 billion for teacher's pensions. We should either reduce their pensions or have them pay way more or both. By the way no raise this time out teachers. You are already way overpaid for what you accomplish in society

Billion dollar loss every year??Somebody is pullin your leg..The Teachers plan has been solvent and producing dividends since it's conception. Where do you get these "pull it out of your hat " facts?

Sounds like many of the 'teacher haters' are just jealous that they aren't teachers! I can't believe that some of you don't feel teachers are worth a good salary.....they are dealing with YOUR most precious commodity, with YOUR future! Teachers should be appreciated because for most of them it is not a JOB it is a CALLING!!

.....teachers are trying to prepare students for jobs that have not been created yet....they are trying to be the parent, teacher, coach, mentor, disaplinarian, realist, therapist and friend to students, they are trying to change many of the narrowminded misconceptions that are made about the teaching profession, this is all in addition to actually trying to teach the curriculum! DON'T knock a teacher until you have tried it!
I find it hilarious that many of you think that the average teacher has anything to do with the investments made by the Teacher's Pension Fund OR planning the curriculum that they have to teach.

They are shysters

Where Bell and Rogers will get the the billion? Out of your pocket and out of mine. The CRTC will make sure this happens.

If the Leafs continue to loose and Bell and Rogers loose money who do ya thinks going to pick it up the tab hmmm!! keep your cell phones off..

I'm most concerned about this part: "The plan pays out $1.8 billion more annually than it takes in in contributions. Its sponsors, the Ontario Teachers' Federation and the Ontario government, are mandated to eliminate the gap by 2012."

Fantastic - not only do we pay current teachers astronomical salaries for 10 months work - $83K average in TDSB - $122K for department heads....but also be further taxed to the hilt to pay off their gold plated pensions.

Collective agreement here for reference:

http://www.osstfd12.com/Default.aspx?DN=21af28e4-2dd2-4447-a060-95106616d1b6


Make no mistake, it is Ontario Taxpayers money that is the foundation of this fund, well managed or not.

ahhhhhhhh.......none of you would be able to read what is on here or type out a response that is comprehensible without the effort of your teachers. Grow up. I loved school and my teachers....and I think my kids' teachers are doing an amazing job. Our kids are brats because we can't do anything to them anymore.....think about how you feel by the end of August...wanting them to get the hell out of the house and go back to school.....you have, what, one or two or three of them....imagine having 20 or more all day!

From the little I know about investing, I own real estate & trade a little bit of online stocks, it is sometimes a good idea to sell at the possible top of the market. Unfortunately I haven't always listened to this & have made many mistakes!!

Hey Sweet Pea... Look in the mirror. You'll also need to change your username to a more suitable reflection of your character.

pay-per-view coming soon!