B.C. teachers court ruling: Premier Christy Clark 'very pleased,' urges cooperation

B.C. Premier Christy Clark said she's "very pleased" with the B.C. Court of Appeal decision in the government's favour in their long-running fight with the B.C. Teachers' Federation, and called it an opportunity for both sides to work together.

• B.C. teachers lose right to bargain class size, composition
• BCTF vows to seek appeal from Supreme Court of Canada

In a 4-1 decision Thursday morning, the court sided with the B.C. government and said the province did not violate teachers' constitutional rights when it introduced Bill 22 in 2012 that temporarily limited teacher bargaining on class size and composition.

Clark has previously said she expects the case would eventually land in the Supreme Court of Canada. 

"It was a very clear and unambiguous decision," she said. "My view has always been that the education system will work better for teachers and students and citizens if we could put the disputes of adults behind us." 

Following Clark's remarks, the teachers' union announced it will appeal the court decision. However, it's not clear if the Supreme Court will agree to hear the case.

'Lay down the gauntlet'

The premier, who was education minister in 2002 when the union's bargaining rights were stripped, has been a polarizing figure in the ongoing bitterness with B.C.'s teachers.

But today she offered a conciliatory tone, calling teaching a "noble profession" and praising their work.  

"Our student outcomes in British Columbia are in the top three in the world. And they got there because of the hard work of teachers," said Clark.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender echoed her comments, saying his ministry is committed to working in the best interest of students and teachers.

"Today is another step where we can lay down the gauntlet to each other, and say we're going to focus on student outcomes, we're going to focus on the future of education."