The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is rejecting the provincial government’s proposed education bill, the Putting Student Achievement First Act, which unnecessarily restructures school board governance and leadership roles, limits the core responsibilities of trustees, and unilaterally interferes with central and local bargaining. 

“While the Ford government ultimately rejected Minister Calandra’s initial plan to eliminate all democratically elected trustees — a reversal achieved through months of sustained advocacy by ETFO and its education partners — this legislation removes the essential powers trustees need to genuinely represent families and students,” says ETFO President David Mastin. “Retaining trustees, except for some in the Toronto District School Board, is just another example of Premier Ford’s unhealthy obsession with Toronto. This government should focus on what is in the best interests of students and not on political manoeuvres that weaken democratic oversight.”

Today, the provincial government announced changes to Ontario’s teacher education program. These changes will not fully address the teacher retention and recruitment crisis in this province. 

“While reducing teacher education programs to one year may make it easier for people to enter the profession, easing some recruitment challenges, it does nothing to confront the real crisis driving educators out of Ontario’s classrooms: the chronic underfunding of the system by the Ford government,” said Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) President David Mastin. 

Toronto, ON – L’Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), Ontario School Board Council of Unions (CUPE-OSBCU), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) issue the following joint statement in response to Ontario’s budget announcement: 

“Ontario families, teachers, and education workers continue to hear the Ford government claim that publicly funded education is benefiting from unprecedented investment. Inside schools, however, the reality is stark: our system is in crisis and the government’s proposed budget, which fails students, teachers, and education workers yet again, will only exacerbate the situation.

The following is a statement from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) President David Mastin in response to today’s announcement about classroom supplies:

“For years, educators have spent hundreds of dollars of their own money to ensure students have what they need. If the government is finally acknowledging this reality, it’s long overdue. But let’s be clear. Educators cannot be bought, and our commitment to strong public education is not something this government can purchase with a pre‑bargaining announcement.

The real issue that needs addressing is this government’s ongoing refusal to address the chronic underfunding that forces educators to subsidize classrooms out of their own pockets in the first place.