ETFO Calls to Action / Media Releases
May 15, 2023
An alarming number (77 per cent) of members of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) say they have personally experienced violence or witnessed violence against another staff member, according to a survey conducted for the Federation in February and March 2023.
February 27, 2023
In new data released today by People for Education, principals report that students and school staff are under “severe stress,” and that mental health and well-being are their top priorities. The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) continues to call on the province to provide adequate mental health resources and funding, and on school boards to deliver the comprehensive supports educators and students need.
February 6, 2023
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) will be launching an all-member survey this week to address the rise of violence and aggressive behaviours in elementary schools. The online survey will take place from February 8 to March 8; focus groups will be held at the end of March.
ETFO statement on tragedy in Uvalde, Texas
May 25, 2022
Our thoughts are with all those affected by the heartbreaking loss of life of 19 schoolchildren and two adults in Uvalde, Texas. But thoughts are not enough, words are not enough, and statements without actions are not enough.
June 3, 2022
Following the re-election of the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is ready to work with the provincial government and opposition parties, but will remain vigilant in its advocacy to protect public education and defend its members’ rights.
April 28, 2022
Change in government needed to restore public education funding, support
April 22, 2022
Ahead of the release of the 2022 provincial budget, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) are calling attention to the Ford government’s inadequate investment in publicly funded education and demanding real action to support students.
April 8, 2022
ETFO has expressed concerns that lifting the mask mandate too soon may result in further disruption to in-person learning and negative impacts on the health and safety of ETFO members, students, and their families.
March 14, 2022
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is concerned about the government’s undermining of school boards that want to maintain masking policies to protect the safety of students and staff.
March 9, 2022
Over the past two years, the Ford government repeatedly made ineffective decisions that unnecessarily prolonged the pandemic, and jeopardized the health and safety of students and education workers.
February 2, 2022
Dear Hon. Doug Ford, Hon. Monte McNaughton, Hon. Christine Elliott, Colleen Geiger, and Dr. Kieran Moore,
We are joining calls for immediate action by the Ford government and Public Health Ontario (PHO) to protect workers from airborne transmission of COVID-19.
Ontario unions say, “Ontario is in crisis. The Ford government must act now.”
January 20, 2022
Ontario workers have come together to sound the alarm and issue an emergency appeal for the Ford government to take action to address the Omicron crisis.
A joint statement endorsed by over 30 organizations outlines six demands that frontline workers in health care, long-term care, education, and other sectors urgently need. The demands include:
January 19, 2022
Ontario workers are sounding the alarm with an emergency appeal for the Ford government to take action to address the Omicron crisis.
Letter from ETFO President Karen Brown
January 15, 2022
Dear Members, I want to begin by thanking you for your extraordinary work and efforts throughout the pandemic, including the latest round of last-minute, emergency online learning and our transition back to the classroom. Each of you has been called on to do so much, often going well beyond your job description.
ETFO cautious about new government measures ahead of return to in-person learning
January 12, 2022
Today, Minister of Education Stephen Lecce announced new “layers of protection” that will be introduced prior to the return to in-person learning on January 17. The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is cautious about the province’s new safety measures, and calls on the Ford government to respond to concerns that remain unaddressed, including:
ETFO renews calls for safety measures that ensure safe, sustainable return to in-person learning
January 3, 2022
Over the winter break and following last week’s announcement, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) advocated for a short delay to the restart of in-person learning so that additional protections could be in place before students and education workers return. Given the rapid spread of Omicron across Ontario, today’s announcement is a safer decision than the one made last week, but additional action is still needed.
December 31, 2021
On December 16, to protect our schools, communities, and families, we wrote you requesting the implementation of a number of measures to stem the surge of the highly infectious Omicron variant. We acknowledged that the measures suggested would require considerable political will, but urged their consideration so that in-person learning, and the considerable benefits it brings to students, could continue in January.
A message from ETFO President Karen Brown
December 30, 2021
Again, Ontarians were left waiting until the last minute to hear from the Ford government on what additional measures would be implemented to ensure students and education workers could return safely to in-person learning. And again, after hearing their inadequate plan, we are left feeling deflated, disappointed and genuinely concerned for the safety of our members, students and their families.
December 30, 2021
Teachers and education workers only learned of the provincial government’s decision to delay school re-opening when it was announced this afternoon.
Joint letter: Learning following the December 2021 break
December 17, 2021
We firmly believe that more effective infection prevention and control measures must be in place as soon as possible so that in-person learning and the considerable benefits it brings can continue following the holidays.
Teachers and education workers need rapid tests to slow the spread of Omicron
December 16, 2021
Today, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) are issuing the following statement in support of school boards providing teachers and education workers with rapid tests for COVID-19 to make schools safer for students and their families:
Ontario’s teacher unions support mandatory vaccinations in schools
August 20, 2021
Today, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) issued the following statement in support of mandatory vaccinations in schools:
ETFO members call for mandatory vaccination of school staff
August 17, 2021
At today’s Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) 2021 Annual Meeting, delegates voted in favour of a policy statement calling on the Ford government to ensure appropriate measures are in place for a safe return to school, including the mandatory vaccination of school staff, with provisions for exceptions. Transparent processes must be established, in consultation with unions, to determine how the vaccination requirement could be implemented fairly within the education sector.
August 4, 2021
TORONTO, ON—Today, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) issued the following statement in response to the Ford government’s release of its back-to-school plan
August 3, 2021
Today, the Ford government delivered an incomplete and inadequate school reopening plan that loosens safety precautions that will likely lead to more COVID-19 outbreaks and disruption to in-person learning. While we all want a return to in-person learning that is safe and sustainable, the only way this can happen is if we have the safety precautions in place that further prevent the spread of COVID-19. The province’s plan does not do enough, especially given the increased risks the Delta variant poses to those who are unvaccinated, including children under 12.
July 21, 2021
Premier Ford continues to fail Ontario’s students, families
Ontario’s teacher unions respond to Premier’s request for in put on school reopening
ETFO responds to Ontario’s education funding plan for 2021-2022
Statement: ETFO responds to Ford government’s sick leave announcement
Ford government must immediately use all available federal funding to ensure safety of students, educators
OFL Open Letter – A Call to Protect Ontario Workers from COVID-19
Statement from Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario President Sam Hammond
WATCH: ETFO press conference alongside education partners to share concerns about school safety
ETFO calls on Ford government to take immediate action to ensure safety of students, educators
Joint Letter: Keep in-person learning available by prioritizing front-line educator vaccinations
February 25, 2021
February 25, 2021
OFL Open Letter – Act on Health and Safety Expert Panel Training Recommendations Now
ETFO joined the Ontario Federation of Labour’s
Letter to Minister McNaughton: Act on Health and Safety Expert Panel Training Recommendations Now
ETFO calls on all MPPs to support MPP Peggy Sattler’s Stay At Home If You Are Sick Act
Letter to the Minister of Education: Keep March Break as scheduled
Government must fund and implement necessary safety measures to avoid future school closures
February 3, 2021
Letter to the Deputy Minister of Education: ETFO is opposed to postponing or cancelling March break
February 2, 2021
In this letter, ETFO General Secretary Sharon O’Halloran outlines ETFO’s opposition to postponing or cancelling March break for the current school year.
Ford government ignored its own experts to save money, placing students, educators at risk
January 21, 2021
January 8, 2021
January 6, 2021
Open Letter – There is still time to address aerosol transmission of COVID-19
January 4, 2021
Ontario refuses to acknowledge link between schools being open and COVID cases increasing
Ontario budget provides no new funding to keep students and educators safe
Student safety and learning needs a higher priority than pandemic pay to principals
Experts share their views on province’s flawed return to school plan
OLRB dismissal of unions’ case leaves Ontario’s flawed back to school plans without legal scrutiny
Ontario’s four major education unions are deeply concerned by the decision of the Chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board to dismiss our health and safety case on the re-opening of schools based on …
Toronto, ON – The Ford Government continues to misrepresent the conditions in classrooms across Ontario as educators and parents are working hard to make the return to school work despite ill-planning and underfunding by the government.
Federal Government steps in to fill funding gap for school reopening plans
Ford government jeopardizing safety of all Ontarians with underfunded return to school plan
Given Sick Kids report, government must exercise caution on school reopening
Government rushing through public education changes without consultation
Government can’t plan for return to school without sufficient emergency funding
ETFO makes recommendations to Ministry of Education for a safe return to school
ETFO makes recommendations to Ministry of Education for a safe return to school
ETFO members ratify agreements at central bargaining tables
April 28, 2020
In view of COVID-19, ETFO suspends rotating strikes scheduled for March 23
Ontario budget an opportunity to undo damage to public education – ETFO
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.
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.
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.
ETFO statement on tragedy in Uvalde, Texas
May 25, 2022
Our thoughts are with all those affected by the heartbreaking loss of life of 19 schoolchildren and two adults in Uvalde, Texas. But thoughts are not enough, words are not enough, and statements without actions are not enough.
June 3, 2022
Following the re-election of the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is ready to work with the provincial government and opposition parties, but will remain vigilant in its advocacy to protect public education and defend its members’ rights.
April 28, 2022
Change in government needed to restore public education funding, support
April 22, 2022
Ahead of the release of the 2022 provincial budget, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) are calling attention to the Ford government’s inadequate investment in publicly funded education and demanding real action to support students.
April 8, 2022
ETFO has expressed concerns that lifting the mask mandate too soon may result in further disruption to in-person learning and negative impacts on the health and safety of ETFO members, students, and their families.
March 14, 2022
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is concerned about the government’s undermining of school boards that want to maintain masking policies to protect the safety of students and staff.
March 9, 2022
Over the past two years, the Ford government repeatedly made ineffective decisions that unnecessarily prolonged the pandemic, and jeopardized the health and safety of students and education workers.
February 2, 2022
Dear Hon. Doug Ford, Hon. Monte McNaughton, Hon. Christine Elliott, Colleen Geiger, and Dr. Kieran Moore,
We are joining calls for immediate action by the Ford government and Public Health Ontario (PHO) to protect workers from airborne transmission of COVID-19.
Ontario unions say, “Ontario is in crisis. The Ford government must act now.”
January 20, 2022
Ontario workers have come together to sound the alarm and issue an emergency appeal for the Ford government to take action to address the Omicron crisis.
A joint statement endorsed by over 30 organizations outlines six demands that frontline workers in health care, long-term care, education, and other sectors urgently need. The demands include:
January 19, 2022
Ontario workers are sounding the alarm with an emergency appeal for the Ford government to take action to address the Omicron crisis.
Letter from ETFO President Karen Brown
January 15, 2022
Dear Members, I want to begin by thanking you for your extraordinary work and efforts throughout the pandemic, including the latest round of last-minute, emergency online learning and our transition back to the classroom. Each of you has been called on to do so much, often going well beyond your job description.
ETFO cautious about new government measures ahead of return to in-person learning
January 12, 2022
Today, Minister of Education Stephen Lecce announced new “layers of protection” that will be introduced prior to the return to in-person learning on January 17. The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is cautious about the province’s new safety measures, and calls on the Ford government to respond to concerns that remain unaddressed, including:
ETFO renews calls for safety measures that ensure safe, sustainable return to in-person learning
January 3, 2022
Over the winter break and following last week’s announcement, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) advocated for a short delay to the restart of in-person learning so that additional protections could be in place before students and education workers return. Given the rapid spread of Omicron across Ontario, today’s announcement is a safer decision than the one made last week, but additional action is still needed.
December 31, 2021
On December 16, to protect our schools, communities, and families, we wrote you requesting the implementation of a number of measures to stem the surge of the highly infectious Omicron variant. We acknowledged that the measures suggested would require considerable political will, but urged their consideration so that in-person learning, and the considerable benefits it brings to students, could continue in January.
A message from ETFO President Karen Brown
December 30, 2021
Again, Ontarians were left waiting until the last minute to hear from the Ford government on what additional measures would be implemented to ensure students and education workers could return safely to in-person learning. And again, after hearing their inadequate plan, we are left feeling deflated, disappointed and genuinely concerned for the safety of our members, students and their families.
December 30, 2021
Teachers and education workers only learned of the provincial government’s decision to delay school re-opening when it was announced this afternoon.
Joint letter: Learning following the December 2021 break
December 17, 2021
We firmly believe that more effective infection prevention and control measures must be in place as soon as possible so that in-person learning and the considerable benefits it brings can continue following the holidays.
Teachers and education workers need rapid tests to slow the spread of Omicron
December 16, 2021
Today, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) are issuing the following statement in support of school boards providing teachers and education workers with rapid tests for COVID-19 to make schools safer for students and their families:
Ontario’s teacher unions support mandatory vaccinations in schools
August 20, 2021
Today, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) issued the following statement in support of mandatory vaccinations in schools:
ETFO members call for mandatory vaccination of school staff
August 17, 2021
At today’s Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) 2021 Annual Meeting, delegates voted in favour of a policy statement calling on the Ford government to ensure appropriate measures are in place for a safe return to school, including the mandatory vaccination of school staff, with provisions for exceptions. Transparent processes must be established, in consultation with unions, to determine how the vaccination requirement could be implemented fairly within the education sector.
August 4, 2021
TORONTO, ON—Today, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) issued the following statement in response to the Ford government’s release of its back-to-school plan
August 3, 2021
Today, the Ford government delivered an incomplete and inadequate school reopening plan that loosens safety precautions that will likely lead to more COVID-19 outbreaks and disruption to in-person learning. While we all want a return to in-person learning that is safe and sustainable, the only way this can happen is if we have the safety precautions in place that further prevent the spread of COVID-19. The province’s plan does not do enough, especially given the increased risks the Delta variant poses to those who are unvaccinated, including children under 12.
July 21, 2021
Premier Ford continues to fail Ontario’s students, families
Ontario’s teacher unions respond to Premier’s request for in put on school reopening
ETFO responds to Ontario’s education funding plan for 2021-2022
Statement: ETFO responds to Ford government’s sick leave announcement
Ford government must immediately use all available federal funding to ensure safety of students, educators
OFL Open Letter – A Call to Protect Ontario Workers from COVID-19
Statement from Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario President Sam Hammond
WATCH: ETFO press conference alongside education partners to share concerns about school safety
ETFO calls on Ford government to take immediate action to ensure safety of students, educators
Joint Letter: Keep in-person learning available by prioritizing front-line educator vaccinations
February 25, 2021
February 25, 2021
OFL Open Letter – Act on Health and Safety Expert Panel Training Recommendations Now
ETFO joined the Ontario Federation of Labour’s
Letter to Minister McNaughton: Act on Health and Safety Expert Panel Training Recommendations Now
ETFO calls on all MPPs to support MPP Peggy Sattler’s Stay At Home If You Are Sick Act
Letter to the Minister of Education: Keep March Break as scheduled
Government must fund and implement necessary safety measures to avoid future school closures
February 3, 2021
Letter to the Deputy Minister of Education: ETFO is opposed to postponing or cancelling March break
February 2, 2021
In this letter, ETFO General Secretary Sharon O’Halloran outlines ETFO’s opposition to postponing or cancelling March break for the current school year.
Ford government ignored its own experts to save money, placing students, educators at risk
January 21, 2021
January 8, 2021
January 6, 2021
Open Letter – There is still time to address aerosol transmission of COVID-19
January 4, 2021
Ontario refuses to acknowledge link between schools being open and COVID cases increasing
Ontario budget provides no new funding to keep students and educators safe
Student safety and learning needs a higher priority than pandemic pay to principals
Experts share their views on province’s flawed return to school plan
OLRB dismissal of unions’ case leaves Ontario’s flawed back to school plans without legal scrutiny
Ontario’s four major education unions are deeply concerned by the decision of the Chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board to dismiss our health and safety case on the re-opening of schools based on …
Toronto, ON – The Ford Government continues to misrepresent the conditions in classrooms across Ontario as educators and parents are working hard to make the return to school work despite ill-planning and underfunding by the government.
Federal Government steps in to fill funding gap for school reopening plans
Ford government jeopardizing safety of all Ontarians with underfunded return to school plan
Given Sick Kids report, government must exercise caution on school reopening
Government rushing through public education changes without consultation
Government can’t plan for return to school without sufficient emergency funding
ETFO makes recommendations to Ministry of Education for a safe return to school
ETFO makes recommendations to Ministry of Education for a safe return to school
ETFO members ratify agreements at central bargaining tables
April 28, 2020
In view of COVID-19, ETFO suspends rotating strikes scheduled for March 23
Ontario budget an opportunity to undo damage to public education – ETFO
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.
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.
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.
