TORONTO, ON – The following is a statement from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) responding to today’s provincial government announcement that includes revisions to Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 128 – The Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct: 

“During recent central bargaining between ETFO and the government, ETFO fought for improvements that would address increasing violence and disruption in schools – a key priority for our 83,000 members. As a result of our strong advocacy at the bargaining table, several new measures were agreed to in bargaining, including publicly facing school  signage that communicates behaviour expectations for everyone, as well as a revision of PPM 128 to address behaviour, consequences, and safety.  

TORONTO, ON – Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada’s first National School Food Program. This significant federal investment of $1 billion over five years will provide meals to 400,000 more children every year, beyond those served by existing school food programs.

“By investing in this program, the federal government is demonstrating its commitment to the well-being of Canada’s youth and the nation’s prosperity,” says Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) President Karen Brown. “However, for the program to be successful, the funds must be administered efficiently and effectively. Ontarians cannot afford another failed implementation by the Ford government akin to its mismanagement of federal child care funding, which led to delays and frustration.”

TORONTO, ON – The Ford government has failed Ontario’s students once again by shamefully refusing to allocate new funding to adequately support a high-quality public education system. The following is a statement from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO):

“By once again neglecting to allocate adequate funding in today’s provincial budget, the Ford Conservative government has chosen to perpetuate a crisis that continues to undermine public education. Despite a growing need to invest in Ontario’s education system, the government persists in depriving it of the resources and supports it desperately needs. This callous disregard is a damning indictment of the government’s priorities.