Gary Keating has become the poster child for entitled Canadian
public school teachers and an abject lesson as to the problem with
public sector labour negotiations.
During his 28 year teaching career, Keating had risen to the
position of high school principal before venturing into politics.
But only three weeks after being elected to the New Brunswick
legislature by a mere nine votes, he resigned, betraying his party,
constituents and New Brunswick's taxpayers, who must now foot
the bill for a by-election. Keating said it quickly became apparent
the job's "long hours and travel" were such
"that the role is not for me."
The travel he referred to is the 100 km, or an hour of highway
driving, between Saint John and Fredericton — less than the
average daily commute for employees in the greater Toronto area.
And how often would he be required to even attend the Legislature?
Assuming he did not keep an apartment in Fredericton, the
legislature sat for a grand total of 52
