ETFO responds to Ford government’s egregious overreach, forced return of police in schools

TORONTO, ON – Below is a statement from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) following today’s announcement from Ontario Minister of Education Paul Calandra:

“ETFO strongly opposes the Ford government’s latest legislative proposal that grants the Minister of Education additional powers to more easily place elected school boards under supervision and that forces the presence of police officers in schools. This is not education reform; it’s authoritarianism cloaked in the language of accountability, designed to deflect blame, suppress dissenting voices, and tighten political control over a public education system this government has failed to adequately fund.

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Ford government claims “record funding,” delivers more public education cuts

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is pushing back against the Ford government’s latest education funding announcement, saying the promise of “record” investments doesn’t reflect the reality in Ontario’s public schools: 

“Despite claims of record spending, educators across Ontario continue to see the cumulative effects of chronic provincial underfunding: larger class sizes, fewer supports for students (especially those with disabilities), deteriorating school infrastructure, rising violence in schools, and increasing demands placed on under-resourced staff. This isn’t record funding; it’s systemic neglect. 

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First Steps Program 2025

August 11-14, 2025

ETFO is looking for 10 observers from designated groups to attend the 2025 Annual Meeting as part of the First Steps program.

Selected participants will learn about Robert’s Rules of Order, get to know Annual Meeting operating procedures, and observe what it is like to be part of the democratic process of the Federation.

Registration closes June 5 at 4:00 p.m.

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Ontario budget shortchanges public education, fails to fund supports students need

Below is a statement from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) following today’s provincial budget announcement:

“ETFO continues to sound the alarm on the provincial government’s ongoing refusal to address the chronic underfunding of Ontario’s public education system. Following another provincial budget announcement that failed to allocate any new funding for education, these persistent cuts are forcing school boards to reduce services, stripping students of the essential supports they need to succeed. 

This budget ignores rising costs school boards are facing due to inflation. It exacerbates issues caused by large class sizes, further abandons students with disabilities, dismisses violence in schools, and fails to adequately address the teacher recruitment and retention crisis across the province. This isn’t just inaction; it is negligence. 

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Education Week: Celebrating educators, demanding action for Ontario’s students

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is celebrating Education Week, May 5 to 9, by recognizing the dedication and professionalism of Ontario’s public elementary educators who continue to deliver high-quality learning experiences in the face of growing challenges.

“Every day, ETFO members bring compassion, creativity, and a deep commitment to supporting student learning and well-being,” says ETFO President Karen Brown. “From teachers and occasional teachers to designated early childhood educators and education and professional support personnel, their contributions are the foundation of a strong public education system. But to maintain that strength, meaningful and adequate investment is essential.”

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ETFO responds to American tariffs

TORONTO, ON – The following is a statement from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) on tariffs imposed by the U.S. government on Canadian products:

“The imposition of American tariffs is having far-reaching consequences for working families, students, and ETFO members. These measures, which violate the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, are beginning to impact key sectors of the Canadian economy, deepening the affordability crisis, creating financial uncertainty, and exacerbating food insecurity. As a result, many families are experiencing rising financial instability due to job losses and growing economic challenges.

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ETFO responds to OHRC report on anti-Black racism, discrimination in Ontario schools

The following is a statement from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) on the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) report Dreams Delayed: Addressing Systemic Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination in Ontario’s Public Education System:

“ETFO welcomes the OHRC’s efforts over the last few years to address systemic anti-Black racism in education, including its release of Dreams Delayed: Addressing Systemic Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination in Ontario’s Public Education System. All stakeholders, including unions, are complicit in the way anti-Black racism has been embedded into the fabric of the education system. 

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ETFO responds to appointment of Paul Calandra as Ontario’s new Minister of Education

TORONTO, ON – The following is a statement from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) on today’s Cabinet announcement:

“ETFO welcomes Paul Calandra as Ontario’s new Minister of Education. We are ready to work together to restore and strengthen Ontario’s public education system after years of damaging budget cuts and policies that have failed to prioritize students and education workers.

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Joint Statement on Publicly Funded Education in Ontario

A high quality publicly funded education system should be the priority of any government. It has a direct correlation to how to succeed as a society, province and country, and how we compete in an increasingly global economic environment. Publicly funded education is fundamental to
the maintenance and support of a democratic society that informs and engages all students in becoming active and well-informed citizens of Ontario and of Canada.

Organizations representing partners for publicly funded education in Ontario have come together to share concerns, discuss various issues and collaborate on strategies to ensure that our publicly funded education system remains a model of excellence.

Joint Statement on Publicly Funded Education in Ontario (PDF, 831 KB) Joint Statement on Publicly Funded Education in Ontario (PDF, 831 KB)
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ETFO Scholarships and Bursaries

The ETFO Scholarships and Bursaries Program offers financial incentives to: members and non-members entering faculties of education; members studying at the graduate level; and members upgrading their qualifications at publicly funded universities/institutions in Ontario. This includes bursaries for members of designated groups, including Black and Indigenous educators, and bursaries for children of ETFO members.

The application window for ETFO Scholarships and Bursaries is now open. The deadline to apply is April 30.

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