TORONTO - Thousands of protesters jammed the streets outside the Ontario Liberal leadership convention Saturday afternoon as delegates voted for the party's next leader and the province's new premier.
Police officers stood behind a barricade and let delegates in and out of the former Maple Leaf Gardens in downtown Toronto while the crowd of public school teachers, other union members and community groups let loose an avalanche of noise punctuated by whistles and drums.
"What's disgusting? Union busting!" a street full of protesters bellowed as police looked on.
The bulk of the protesters were public elementary and secondary school teachers, who were joined by other public sector unions, as well as the Canadian Auto Workers and United Steel Workers, among other labour members and community groups.
The demonstration started two hours earlier in a nearby park, where protesters listened to labour leaders and activists condemn the Liberal government's decision to impose contracts on public school teachers. Speakers decried the move as a violation of workers' democratic rights, and also railed against budget cutbacks.
Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation president Ken Coran said the next Liberal leader — who will become the province's new premier — must negotiate contracts with public elementary and secondary teachers.
He had one key message for the next premier when it comes to dealing with unions.
"The lesson is simple. Be fair. Be respectful. And be democratic."
Protesters, many of whom arrived in a fleet of chartered buses, then began a brief march to the nearby convention site.
Some delegates smiled as they walked by the spirited wall of protesters. Others were met with loud boos.
One supporter of candidate Kathleen Wynne leaned over the barricade to hand an apple, coffee and bag of chips to an older protester.
Teacher Craig Breen said he had to show his opposition to the imposition of teachers' contracts.
"People here provide a great service to kids, and the reaction of our government to our fine service is to trample on our rights," he said.
So long and thanks for reading! If want to keep up to date on where Kathleen Wynne goes from here, follow HuffPost Canada on Twitter and like HuffPost Canada Politics on Facebook.
Kathleen Wynne in Ontario, Pauline Marois in Quebec, Christy Clark in B.C., Alison Redford in Alberta. There is also Kathy Dunderdale in Newfoundland and Labrador and Eva Aariak in Nunavut
1. Kathleen Wynne - 57.04 per cent
2. Sandra Pupatello - 42.96 per cent
| @ scott_stinson : The thronged masses await. #olpldr http://t.co/XjScLd6K |
| @ Kris680News : All that's left of the protest at Church & Carlton, demo held outside the Liberal leadership convention #olpldr http://t.co/7p2Ks08h |
| @ robferguson1 : The @Kathleen_Wynne #olpldr campaign is handing out smoked meat sandwiches from@Caplansky. Wish I hadn't eaten already! #onpoli |
| @ genevievetomney : We're being told that both @Kathleen_Wynne and @SandraPupatello will appear onstage together as Yasir Naqvi reads results-Stay tuned #olpldr |
| @ suntooz : New premier will be "incoming premier." Once she and @Dalton_McGuinty meet with LG, she's the premier-designate #onpoli #olpldr |
| @ DanielKitts : Kennedy tells Steve Paikin that despite being through this before he is immensely disappointed to lose. #onpoli #OLPldr |
As we wait for the results of the third and final ballot, did you know that teens as young as 14 years old voted today at the convention?
(h/t to CBC News)
Many are saying Kathleen Wynne's convention speech has won her the job of premier. You can watch it, and read responses, here http://huff.to/XDqO44
| @ so_bell : Flood was quickly cleared up - cheer from the delegates as they resume entering the ballot box area. #olpldr |
| @ CBCQueensPark : Unless there's a concession, we'll be here a while. Huge voting lineup snakes past CBC TV. #olpldr http://t.co/KyIz4lFM |
| @ SusanDelacourt : Richard Nixon's plumbers never retired, apparently. #Olpldr delayed because of flooding problem. |
That according to a police estimate reported by CBC News. You can read about the protest and see photos here.
http://huff.to/V9rT67
| @ lrobertsglobal : Likely looking at next lib cabinet led by Kathleen Wynne. Awaiting 3rd ballot results liberal convention #onpoli http://t.co/ApTmeFvM |
Sandra Pupatello will now have a tough time winning the leadership.
Who he's throwing his support behind remains a mystery. Looks like he'll play kingmaker (or queen maker in this case) once again.
| @ Justin_Ling : Oh, apparently Sousa and Kennedy are moving together. So this is about to be decided. Weee! #olpldr |
2. Kathleen Wynne - 36.18 per cent
3. Gerard Kennedy - 13.75 per cent
4. Charles Sousa - 9.79 per cent
5. Harinder Takhar - 0.87 per cent
Takhar, who has already pledged his support to Pupatello, is automatically eliminated. Look to see what Sousa and Kennedy will do now.
The results of the second ballot are now way overdue. Luckily, it seems we'll be getting answers shortly.
| @ spaikin : The floor awaits the 2nd ballot results which are allegedly less than 10 mins away. #onpoli #olpldr http://t.co/fsnF2bw9 |
What the street outside the convention usually looks like and what it looked like during a protest held by Ontario teachers and unions on Saturday.
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| @ CBCQueensPark : @GKennedyOLP source tells me he needs to grow by gainin at least 75 @harindertakhar delegates. If he doesn't, it's over for him. #olpldr |
Rick Mercer is among the many observers cracking jokes http://huff.to/XIa3FL
| @ OPSEUSisters : 'Make the BOSSES take the LOSSES!' Another awesome sign at the #J26rally today! #olpldr http://t.co/V54n61Sh |
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CP | By The Canadian Press Posted: 01/26/2013 4:05 am EST | Updated: 01/27/2013 9:17 am EST