-ETFO Calls to Action – ETFO Health and Safety

ETFO Calls to Action

Ford government’s return to school plan unravelling because it refuses to fund smaller class sizes to keep students, educators safe

September 18, 2020

The Ford government’s refusal to mandate smaller class sizes and provide the necessary funding to school boards to meet that goal is putting students and educators at risk as the province enters a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Teacher and education worker unions taking legal action as Ford government fails to meet health and safety obligations

August 31, 2020

Following the failure of the Ministry of Labour to adequately respond to their requests for appropriate health and safety standards in publicly funded schools, …

Federal Government steps in to fill funding gap for school reopening plans

August 26, 2020

ETFO welcomes today’s announcement from the Federal government that they will be stepping in and providing a significant investment to help reopen our public schools safely.

Ontario’s return to school plan fails to meet legal health and safety requirements – Education unions

August 13, 2020

Ontario’s four major education unions have requested an immediate meeting with the Minister of Labour and representatives from the Ministry of Education, contending that the government’s “Guide to Re-Opening…

Yes or No? The government won’t commit to revising return to school plan while misleading public on class sizes

August 07, 2020

Premier Doug Ford and his education minister are misleading the public into thinking that the issue of class size in public elementary schools has been addressed, according to ETFO.

Restaurants, grocery stores and gyms will have more safety restrictions than public elementary schools in September

July 30, 2020

While educators want to be back with their students this fall, the government’s plan for a return to school falls far short of ensuring the safety of public elementary students and educators.

Ford government jeopardizing safety of all Ontarians with underfunded return to school plan

July 30, 2020

The Ford government is jeopardizing the safety of students, educators and all Ontarians by severely underfunding a safe return to school this September.

Given Sick Kids report, government must exercise caution on school reopening

July 29, 2020

Despite today’s report from Sick Kids Hospital on reopening schools, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) says the government must exercise caution when it comes to elementary students.

With six weeks to go, Ontario government has still not announced funding to ensure safe reopening of schools

July 23, 2020

The Ontario government’s re-announcement today of capital funding for new schools does nothing to prepare the province for the safe return of students and staff to schools this September.

Government rushing through public education changes without consultation

July 21, 2020

Under the guise of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario government is rushing through changes to the Education Act that could prove detrimental to students and public education without consultation.

Government can’t plan for return to school without sufficient emergency funding

July 16, 2020

Students, parents and educators are counting on the Ford Conservative government to provide more funding than it has allocated to ensure there is a safe and effective re-opening of schools this fall.

ETFO makes recommendations to Ministry of Education for a safe return to school

June 18, 2020

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has submitted 40 recommendations to the Ontario Ministry of Education to help ensure health and safety and quality learning in plans for school reopening.

ETFO makes recommendations to Ministry of Education for a safe return to school

June 18, 2020

ETFO Statement– Peel District School Board must fully address anti-Black racism within its system

June 16, 2020

In advance of tomorrow’s March for Justice by Peel students, ETFO is calling on the Peel District School Board to fully address anti-Black racism within its systems and practices.

ETFO members ratify agreements at central bargaining tables

April 28, 2020

Members of the ETFO have voted in favour of accepting central bargaining agreements reached with the Government of Ontario, OPSBA and the CTA.

In view of COVID-19, ETFO suspends rotating strikes scheduled for March 23

March 12, 2020

In view of COVID-19, The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is suspending rotating strike action scheduled to begin on March 23.

Ontario budget an opportunity to undo damage to public education – ETFO

January 23, 2020

In a pre-budget presentation ETFO said the 2020 budget is an opportunity for the government to undo the damage it has done to public education.

Violence study points to lack of front-line supports for students as a major cause of escalating violence against educators

September 10, 2019

A new study on violence in Ontario public elementary schools confirms that violence against educators is taking a huge toll and is in part due to a lack of investment in front-line supports for vulnerable students.

ETFO urges Ontario government to make investments in public education to better prepare all students for success

January 15, 2019

In 2019 pre-budget hearings today, the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) urged the Ontario government to make investments, not cuts, in public education to better prepare all students for success.

Ford government prioritizes big business over students and crumbling schools

July 10, 2018

With the cancellation of both Ontario’s cap and trade program and a $100 million school repair fund that was to be paid for by the environmental program, the Doug Ford government has made it clear that it favours big business over students and crumbling schools, says the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO).

ETFO members' survey shows violence pervasive in schools

January 23, 2018

Seventy per cent of members of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) say they have personally experienced violence or have witnessed violence in schools, according to an independent survey conducted for the Federation in November.

ETFO renews calls for government to address extreme temperatures in schools

September 25, 2017

As southern Ontario temperatures soar, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is renewing calls for the government to address extreme heat and humidity conditions in elementary schools.

ETFO issues seven recommendations to fix Ontario’s Education Funding Formula

August 14, 2017

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) today released seven recommendations (PDF | Word) to fix Ontario’s education funding formula that has been shortchanging students for 20 years. The recommendations arise from Shortchanging Ontario’s Students: An Overview and Assessment of Education Funding in Ontario prepared by ETFO and economist Hugh Mackenzie & Associates.

ETFO calls for more front line supports for children with behavioural challenges starting in September

June 21, 2017

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) continued to press for action to reduce violent incidents in schools by calling on the government to increase front line supports this September for children with behavioural challenges.

ETFO backs call for more support for students with autism

April 5, 2017

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) supports the Ontario Autism Coalition’s call for the province to step up support for students with autism and special education needs.

ETFO’s Call to Action to Address Violent Incidents in Schools

January 2017

ETFO issued a Call to Action to Address Violent Incidents in Schools. The Call to Action makes recommendations to the government for stronger funding and resources for special education; a comprehensive approach to supporting children’s mental health; proactive supports from both Ministries of Education and Labour to assure school board compliance with health and safety legislation; and better health and safety training for superintendents, principals and staff.