Kayla Smith, a Grade 12 student at Bramalea Secondary School, isn’t happy about losing her extra-curricular activities. .

But she feels protesting the provincial government’s new legislation, Bill 115: Putting Students First Act, is more important.

Smith was at the forefront of a demonstration by Bramalea students on the lawn of Queen’s Park on Saturday. They went to support their teachers’ decision to protest Bill 115 by withdrawing all after-school programs.

“We have nothing. No sports, no arts, no clubs. It’s frustrating,” said Smith, who normally plays football, volleyball and sings in the choir. “But we’re against Bill 115. We feel it’s undemocratic and unconstitutional.

“We’re not angry at the teachers. It’s the government that’s at fault.”

It was the second time in 10 days Bramalea students have rallied in support of Ontario’s teachers. About 300 participated in a walkout at the school on Sept. 17, one of dozens that have occurred across the province since the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation called for a one-day protest.

Some high school teachers have cancelled after school programs indefinitely. Most elementary schools are also affected.

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario has suggested its members take a “pause” in after-school programs.

Bill 115 limits teachers’ collective bargaining rights, sick days and imposes a two-year wage freeze.

The provincial government has said the bill is an exceptional and temporary measure to fight the budget deficit. Education and health care are the province’s two largest expenses.

Saturday’s event was meant to draw students from other schools as well. About 100 people attended. At least half were adults, including labour activists and teachers.

“It’s not about the money,” said Michael Verba, a teacher at Diefenbaker Elementary School, in East York. “We don’t want to strike. We want to negotiate. We’ve lost both rights.”

“Teachers are parents, too,” said Paulette Dufort, who also teaches at Diefenbaker. She recently had to explain to her son why his Grade 8 camping trip might be cancelled this year.

The new legislation would allow the provincial education minister to interfere in the collective bargaining process, said Sharon DeSousa, a regional executive vice-president with the Public Service Alliance of Canada. “I think the economic crisis is being used as an excuse to attack not only unions’ but workers’ rights.”

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The protesters at Queen’s Park held up papier-mâché signs made to look like Premier Dalton McGuinty, Progressive Conservative party leader Tim Hudak, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Toronto Mayor Rob Ford.

Others carried signs that said: Kill Bill 115.