This discussion paper by Joan Axford, Secretary-Treasurer of SD 63, gives a good overview of the TILMA and its potential impact on boards of education in BC. It raises a number of important questions including:

• How will the TILMA’s purchasing thresholds affect boards of education? What will the costs of using electronic tendering systems be? Will boards still be able to use their purchasing power to support local economies?
• How will TILMA affect the ability of boards to develop policies that may be seen as restricting or impairing trade and investment? Policies such as banning junkfood or limiting corporate sponsorship in schools appear to contradict the TILMA.

Axford also makes a number of recommendations including that BCSTA advocate for the exemption of boards of education from the TILMA. This is what BCSTA’s members voted for at the last AGM and there is ample evidence that it would be in the public’s interest if boards were exempt.

To read the full paper, click here.