Fall General Meeting

Join us for our Fall General Meeting to to find out what’s new in education, set our yearly budget, ask questions, meet new colleagues, and win some prizes!

Saturday, October 25
Delta Waterfront Hotel, SSM
8:30 breakfast, 9:00 business

Please RSVP by October 17.

We provide mileage for people who must travel to Sault Ste. Marie, and an accommodation subsidy for anyone coming from over 125km away. Please contact Sue (ac.lt1760028749oa@pv1760028749) for more information.

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Ontarians reject Ford government overreach: majority support elected trustees

A new province-wide poll commissioned by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) shows that twice as many Ontarians want to keep elected school board trustees (49 per cent) as want to eliminate elected trustees (24 per cent). Support for elected trustees climbs to 59 per cent among parents with school-aged children. These results indicate strong public support for local democratic control of school boards.

The Ford government’s proposed Bill 33 would allow the province to replace elected school board trustees with government-appointed supervisors whenever it determines it is in the “public interest”. The Minister of Education has further threatened to get rid of elected school board trustees entirely, prior to scheduled elections on October 26, 2026.

“There is widespread concern about the erosion of local representation,” warns ETFO President David Mastin. “Eliminating elected trustees is not just a bureaucratic shift; it’s a direct attack on democratic governance. It centralizes power, undermines equity, silences marginalized voices, harms students, and strips communities of their right to shape public education. This is a dismantling of democracy in real time. Let’s mobilize and defend our schools and our students.”

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ETFO celebrates World Teachers’ Day, calls on province to invest in public education

TORONTO, ON – On October 5, World Teachers’ Day, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) recognizes the expertise and extraordinary commitment of teachers in Ontario and around the world.

“Ontario’s teachers are at the heart of public education, bringing skill, compassion, and dedication to inspire learning and to help every student reach their potential,” says ETFO President David Mastin. “On World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate their impact and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring they have the resources and supports they need to help every student learn, grow, and succeed.”

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Tonight we Bowl!

Tuesday, October 7
7:00 p.m.
Northcrest Bowling Lanes, SSM

Please join us for a fun evening of BOWLING to help us celebrate you! Put your team together and show up in style. If it’s just you, that’s ok too, because we are happy to have everyone who can join us.

We will be playing two ends starting at 7pm. Bowling and shoe rental are complimentary, courtesy of your friends at OTIP and EFG. There will be prizes and special treats as well.

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Walk into Retirement with a Plan — OTIP Retirement Workshops

Are you staring to plan for retirement? It’s never to early to start making a plan! OTIP and Educators Financial Group has you covered.

These free workshops are open to members and spouses. As a courtesy, refreshments will be provided when possible.


Chapleau
October 6
The Hub
4:30 – 6:30

Sault Ste Marie
October 7
Quattro Hotel
4:30 – 6:30

Blind River
October 9
BR Memorial Comm. Centre
5:30 – 7:30
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ETFO responds to school board collapse rumour

TORONTO, ON – The following is a statement from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) President David Mastin responding to a rumour that the Ford government is considering replacing Ontario’s 72 school boards with four:

“Collapsing Ontario’s 72 school boards into four isn’t just a bad idea, it’s reckless, undemocratic, and an outright attack on public education. This move would silence parents, erase community voices, eliminate democratically elected trustees, and cut families off from decision-makers. Ford is manufacturing yet another crisis in education to tighten his grip on our schools.

It is not hyperbole to say that this unprecedented power grab would decimate public education. It would destabilize schools across the province and put student learning, safety, and well-being at risk. Premier Ford and Education Minister Calandra aren’t reforming education; they are intent on dismantling a world-class public education system that educators have built and defended for generations.

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Get involved, join a committee!

Have you been wondering how you can get more involved in your union? We’re looking for members like you to step into important roles on the following committees:

  • Collective Bargaining
  • Equity & Status of Women
  • Professional Learning
  • Member Engagement

Committee work is a great way to make your voice heard, help shape our local priorities, and connect with your colleagues.

Deadline to Apply: Thursday, September 18

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Welcome Back Social

Friday, September 5
4:30 – 7:00
Wacky’s, 668 Great Northern Rd, SSM

Join us at Wacky Wings for our Welcome Back Social! We’ll cover your wings and non-alcoholic drinks while you relax, reconnect, and kick off the new school year with your fellow occasional teachers.

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Teaching Together 2026

Since 1962, Teaching Together (formerly Project Overseas) has assisted teacher organizations in over 50 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Caribbean. This is a voluntary position that is financially supported by the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) and the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO).

ETFO members who are selected to participate in Teaching Together (formerly Project Overseas) present professional learning workshops to teachers in host countries. In July, participants attend CTF’s training in Ottawa prior to their international placements, which typically last three to five weeks.

The application form is available on the ETFO website.

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ETFO bringing class size fight to bargaining table

In the spring, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) surveyed its 84,000 members to gather input to determine the Federation’s next round of central bargaining priorities for both the Teacher/Occasional Teacher Table and the Education Worker Table. Class size emerged as a unifying issue for members across the province, validating the issue as a focus during the next round of bargaining.

“For years, educators have called for smaller class sizes that better support student learning. In 2026, ETFO is bringing this fight back to the bargaining table with renewed urgency and collective strength,” says ETFO President Karen Brown. “We’ve seen how overcrowded classrooms limit what’s possible: how they stretch educators too thin, reduce opportunities for individualized support, and make it harder to create the kind of calm, safe, and inclusive spaces our students deserve.”

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