Ottawa's English public elementary teachers strike today

Thousands of elementary school teachers with Ottawa's English public school board have begun walking the picket lines today, part of rotating strikes across Ontario.

Classes are cancelled for all elementary students at 117 schools in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. There are about 4,500 teachers with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.

The one-day walkout and the other rotating strikes across the province are in protest of Bill 115.

Teachers will set up pickets at 63 of the Ottawa-area schools, as well as at the board offices and the offices of six area MPPs, including Premier Dalton McGuinty.

Schools are closed for the day, but principals and other staff will be inside the schools to assist in case children show up for school unaware of the walk-out.