ETFO celebrates 25th anniversary at its Annual Meeting from August 14 to 17

TORONTO, ON – Close to 700 public elementary educators will attend the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) between August 14 and 17, 2023, at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.

ETFO’s first annual meeting was held 25 years ago in 1998. At that meeting, ETFO was formed—a new union that brought together the Federation of Women Teachers’ Associations of Ontario and the Ontario Public School Teachers’ Federation. Since its formation, ETFO has been able to win many improvements in working conditions, defend members’ rights, make equity and social justice a key priority, and protect public education.

ETFO’s inception came at a turbulent time in Ontario politics. There were massive protests as the Mike Harris government forced Ontario school boards to amalgamate, introduced new curricula and report cards without proper support, and pursued ongoing teacher testing. Sadly, we are in similar times as ETFO is again facing a Conservative government that is not interested in partnering with education stakeholders nor in serving in the best interests of students, educators, and other education workers.

At this year’s Annual Meeting, ETFO members from across the province will celebrate ETFO’s 25th anniversary, and set policies and directions for the coming year. They will receive reports and financial statements, and debate and vote on motions.

Highlights:

August 14 at 4:20 p.m. – Opening address by ETFO President Karen Brown – livestream
August 16 – Elections for the 2023-2025 provincial Executive
August 17 at 10:30 a.m. – Closing remarks from the incoming ETFO President

Regular updates will be posted to etfo.ca, Twitter, and Facebook. Media are invited to follow the conversation at #ETFOAM23.

ETFO represents approximately 83,000 members, including public elementary teachers, occasional teachers, designated early childhood educators, education support personnel, and professional support personnel. Watch It’s Elementary to learn about ETFO’s history.