Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is raising the possibility he’ll recall the legislature this month to impose new wage contracts on teachers.

The province has given school boards until the end of the month to reach new deals with teachers that freeze wages for two years.

McGuinty said the pay freeze will save the province $2-billion at a time when finances are incredibly tight.  

“So I’m saying to the teachers, we need to hit the pause button when it comes to pay for a couple years. That’s fair,” MccGuinty stated.

McGuinty said if it’s necessary, he’ll bring MPPs back from their summer break for an emergency vote on legislation forcing a wage freeze on teachers.

“If we cannot secure those agreements as a result of discussions and negotiations between our teachers and our schoolboards, then we’ll take the necessary measures as a responsible provincial government,” McGuinty explained.

McGuinty said even in a minority government situation, he has the right to recall the legislature.

If new contracts aren’t in place before September 1, the old agreements will automatically roll over giving teachers raises the Ontario can’t afford.