B.C.’s Finance minister admits contract negotiations with the BC Teachers Federation has become a little rocky.

With the two sides flirting with an impasse and a self imposed end of June deadline to reach a deal pretty much shot Carole James says talks have hit a rough patch.

“We all want to make sure the system works, most importantly for students, but also for teachers, support staff, and others who do an incredible job in the system. We are in the process of bargaining and we have hit some bumps. Certainly we are going to continue our commitment at the table and I know that the teachers have the same commitment to try and get to an agreement.”

James says most importantly both sides remain at the table and continue to negotiate.

“Again I am always an optimist, perhaps that is just my personality, but I still believe that we all want to make sure we have a strong education system. We put major resources in, as people know, one of the largest investments in public education when we came in as government in 2017.”

She says she remains hopeful a deal can still be reached adding she will leave bargaining details to those at the table.

The two sides are deadlocked over the class size and composition mandates.