In a move to protect 10,000 young teaching jobs, Ontario Education Minister Laurel Broten said Monday the government will regulate fair hiring practices as of Sept. 1.

The regulation change — which, among other things, limits retired teachers to a maximum of 50 days in the classroom supply teaching — comes into effect regardless of whether teaching contracts are signed, Broten told reporters at Queen’s Park.

However, those in the education sector say the minister is dusting off an old announcement and the decision to implement these fair hiring practices was made nearly two years ago.

The change ensures a fair, consistent and transparent approach to hiring of long-term occasional teachers and permanent teachers, Broten said.

“Young teachers are the fuel that keep the engines of our education system running . . . their energy, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives are exactly what our schools need,” Broten said.

“Every time a retired teacher steps into the class to supply teach it means a young teacher in need of experience and exposure is denied that opportunity. This needed to change.”

Previously, retired teachers could supply up to 95 days a year.

So far, only three unions have signed contract agreements with the province. The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association was the first to sign and their deal is supposed to be used as a “roadmap” to form others. The Franco-Ontarian teachers have also signed as well as a smaller union of support staff.

The OECTA deal does not include a general wage increase, though it does provide pay increases for newer teachers moving up the salary grid. That increase is funded by all teachers taking three unpaid days off in the second year of the contract.

As of Sept. 1, old contracts that haven’t been renegotiated simply roll over, giving teachers pay raises the Liberals say they cannot afford as the government battles a $15 billion deficit.

As some unions have walked away from contract talks, the government has ordered the school boards to start negotiating with unions – a task they say is generally impossible.

As a result, the government is looking at returning the House early and passing legislation to make sure all teachers are in the classroom and the school year is not disrupted after Labour Day.

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario spent only one hour at the negotiation table, Broten noted. Later on Monday, ETFO President Sam Hammond is expected to address reporters about the bargaining process at their annual meeting downtown Toronto.