TORONTO, ON – After spending more than a year refusing to adequately invest in the protections and safety measures needed to keep public schools open safely, the Ford government has announced continued closures, despite consensus from healthcare stakeholders that students return to in-person learning.

TORONTO, ON – The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) celebrates Education Week, May 3 to 7, 2021, by recognizing the extraordinary efforts of Ontario educators throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Conservatives’ failure to address the COVID-19 pandemic was underscored by today’s temporary paid sick leave announcement. After months spent shirking responsibility, today, the Ford government delivered a hastily developed plan that delivers another half-measure.

TORONTO, ON—At a time when the top education priority for the Ford government should be to ensure schools across Ontario remain open safely for in-person learning, they are instead planning to make virtual learning permanent while undermining Ontario’s public education system.

Our thoughts are with all those impacted by yesterday’s shootings in Atlanta. We acknowledge the sadness and trauma this has caused members of the Asian community, both locally and internationally, and stand in solidarity with all Asian Canadians during this tragic time. 

TORONTO—The Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) released the following statement today.

AEFO, ETFO, OECTA, and OSSTF/FEESO strongly oppose the government’s plan to postpone March Break. These are unprecedented times, and this is a much-needed break for students, teachers, education workers, and families who have been under tremendous pressure throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The government’s decision to postpone March Break does not take into consideration the mental health and well- being of those involved.

Toronto, ON – As a result of the Ford government’s failure to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario, we are at the height of a pandemic that has surged out of control. This has resulted in yet another last-minute decision, one that extends remote learning in many areas of the province, and again leaves families and educators scrambling to plan.

Toronto, ON – The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is filing a complaint today with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) seeking a ruling against the government’s revocation of Regulation 274.

“We believe that the government’s unilateral move to revoke Regulation 274 constitutes an unfair labour practice,” said ETFO President Sam Hammond.

Toronto, ON – Education Minister Stephen Lecce is creating further chaos in Ontario’s schools and reopening the door to nepotism and cronyism by scrapping a regulation that ensures fair hiring practices for teachers, according to the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO).