Let me get this out of the way first; I am not Catholic.

That said, I have nothing against Catholics. My next door neighbours are Catholic. My best friend in high school was Catholic. I work with Catholics. I once dated a Catholic.

I have no prejudice. But I have to agree with those who say Catholics don’t need a separate education system funded through general taxes.

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is the latest group to suggest Ontario must give up its Catholic funding to make our education system truly equitable on all levels.

Conservative Leader John Tory’s solution to level this playing field is to hand public money to faith-based schools as well.

That, no matter, how honest the intentions, is just plain crazy. The national watchdog organization may not be as blunt in its assessment of Tory’s plan, but they aren’t impressed with the idea either.

Like me, the Civil Liberties organization believes we should be going the other way by bringing all our Catholic schools into the public fold.

So far, only the Green Party has said the same thing. It appears the others don’t want to risk losing Catholic votes.

A two-board education system just doesn’t make economic sense to hard-pressed taxpayers, especially parents who are paying twice through endless fundraisers put on by cash-strapped public schools. (I don’t know if I can stand another chocolate-covered almond.)

In Simcoe County, for instance, one system would mean one school board headquarters and fewer administrators. Although the boards share some resources, such as busing, so much more could be amalgamated. There just isn’t enough money for duplication.

And with the bulk of education being funded through general taxes instead of property taxes, a single system would only be fair.

Amalgamation doesn’t mean Catholicism has to be completely eradicated from the system.

Catholicism can be mixed with education through separate religious classes after 3 p.m.

Catholic educators have always said that just won’t do; religious teachings must be intertwined with everything from biology to physical education throughout the day.

I’ve always considered that argument a stretch, especially since much of what Catholic teachers espouse can be offered in a public system simply by talking about good moral character.

Predictably, Catholic school trustees always jump on the constitutional argument when this issue resurfaces. The right to Catholic education has been entrenched in the British North America Act since 1861.

But that really isn’t a practical argument anymore. In 1997, an amendment to the constitution allowed Quebec to change its religious-based education system to one based on language. And Newfoundland had followed suit as well.

So, it’s possible — and it’s reasonable.

At the very least, Tory’s proposal has created debate around the issue. Perhaps, there will be some political appetite for the real solution — ending public funding for Catholic schools — when the next provincial election comes around.