We Must Stay Engaged and Active in the Fight for Equity and Justice

The election of Doug Ford’s Conservatives to a third-term majority government has many in labour, community, climate and social justice groups deeply concerned. Ford’s track record on public education, workers’ rights, public services and environmental protections has been marked by cuts, privatization and a disregard for the voices of experts and frontline workers.

As we face another four years of Ford, it is more important than ever to stay engaged and active in the fight for equity and justice. While we were unable to defeat the Ford government in this election, the connections we have made and organizing we have done across the province means that we are heading into the next four years stronger than ever before.

During his first two terms, Ford’s government cut funding to public schools by $1,500 per student. This has meant larger classes, a lack of assessments and supports for students, and increased violence resulting from unmet student needs. These cuts have not only impacted students, they have significantly impacted the health and wellbeing of Ontario educators. The Conservative government has imposed wage suppression legislation on educators and other public sector workers, tried to sell off the Greenbelt and stripped funding from public healthcare while pushing for privatization. These measures have had a profound impact on Ontarians and our work over the next four years will require solidarity across communities and sectors.

As we are recovering from this significant loss as well as the impacts of the election of Donald Trump in the United States, I want to remind you that that our strength lies in our solidarity. The labour movement has always been a powerful force for change, and it is through our collective action that we have secured the rights and protections we enjoy today. These gains, however, are not guaranteed. They require vigilance and advocacy. They require all of us to work together to bring other people up, especially in the face of a government that has consistently prioritized corporate interests over the needs of communities.

Now is the time to double down on our efforts. We must continue to build alliances with other unions, community organizations and advocacy groups to amplify our voices and continue to hold the government accountable. While the provincial election is over, there is much to be done to protect not only our public schools but all public services. Please consider reaching out to your local MPP or school board trustee and letting them know that you expect them to advocate for Ontario public schools and public services. Make sure you are connected to ETFO through the ETFO enewsletter and BuildingBetterSchools.ca. Both of these tools will give you access to information, opportunities and campaigns.

As we prepare for the next round of collective bargaining, ETFO remains steadfast in our commitment to securing a fair agreement for our members and better learning conditions for our students. We will continue to fight for smaller class sizes, more supports for students with special needs and safer schools. Bargaining is not just about negotiating contracts; it is about defending the integrity of public education and ensuring that every student in Ontario has access to the high-quality public education they deserve. ETFO will stand strong at the bargaining table, backed by the solidarity of our members and the support of parents and our broader communities, to push back against any attempts to undermine our profession or the public education system.

The road ahead will not be easy, but history has shown that when we stand together, we can achieve extraordinary things. Let us draw inspiration from the victories of the past and channel our energy into building a brighter future.

– Karen Brown