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)

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.

If you are in your first five years of ETFO membership, you are invited to a special online event with President Karen Brown.

Register in advance for an online forum on Zoom. You will learn about membership services, how the union works for you, and upcoming events for new members. Plus, you’ll also have a chance to ask questions.

There are two dates:

Wednesday, February 12 or Thursday, February 13
Sessions are 75 minutes and start at 7:00 p.m. (EST)

Let your voice be heard! Join one of ETFO’s provincial standing committees.

The vacancies for the 2025-2027 term and the online application form are on the ETFO members’ website. A login is required.

Application deadline: March 1, 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact Jinah Kim at gro.o1741900558fte@m1741900558ikj1741900558.

ETFO Awards recognize individuals, groups, and ETFO locals for their distinguished achievements and outstanding contributions to education and the Federation in a number of categories.

Member can nominate themselves, their colleagues and/or community members, as applicable, to acknowledge distinguished academic achievements, service, and outstanding contributions to education and the Federation. ETFO distributes over $120,000 annually through the program.

Members are encouraged to apply for appointed duties during the ETFO Annual Meeting, which will take place at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel from August 11-14, 2025.

Complete the application form and submit today!  Deadline is March 1.

Following a motion to the 2024 Annual Meeting, ETFO has established the Lianne Wyatt Member Benevolent Fund. This fund will assist ETFO members in times of financial crisis. To apply, you must be an active member in good standing who is experiencing financial hardship.

Under the fund, members may apply for a lifetime maximum grant of $5,000. The funds are limited and if approved, they are granted on a first come, first served basis.

To access the fund, send a completed application to Kathy Pigeon at gro.o1741900558fte@n1741900558oegip1741900558k1741900558.

This fall, ETFO is holding membership meetings in communities across the province.  Provincial leaders want to hear from you about your experiences in the workplace and about the changes you see in our schools.  Come out and meet ETFO President Karen Brown.  Join us for this important discussion and have your voice heard!

Saturday, October 19
Quattro Hotel, SSM
12:00 noon – 2:30 p.m.
Lunch Provided

Mileage ($0.61 c/km round-trip plus $0.05 cents for each carpooling ETFO passenger) is provided for anyone who travels from a home address outside of the P6A, P6B, or P6C Sault Ste. Marie postal code areas.

Hotel accommodation (free) is also available for anyone who travels from Chapleau or Hornepayne on Friday, October 18.

RSVP by end of day on October 8.

Members are invited to apply for an exciting volunteer opportunity with International Collaboration for Education, which involves developing and presenting professional learning workshops created in co-operation with teachers in host countries.

Since 1962, ICE (formerly called Project Overseas) has supported teacher organizations in over 50 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Caribbean.

Selection criteria, FAQs, and the application package can be found here.