Your Federation: Fall 2024
ETFO President Karen Brown Opens the 2024 Annual Meeting
President Karen Brown welcomed delegates to the 2024 ETFO Annual Meeting. Thanking ETFO’s 83,000 members, she also acknowledged local presidents and local leadership teams for their work supporting members.
President Brown recognized the work that ETFO members do to support students who are affected by war around the world. She spoke about the discussion at Education International’s 10th World Congress in Buenos Aires, where education unions pledged to condemn war and those countries complicit in war.
Brown spoke about her meetings with teachers’ unions in conflict zones including Ukraine and Gaza and reflected on Education International World Congress’ call for the urgent implementation of the UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate and lasting ceasefire, along with the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, action to prevent forced displacement, and the recognition of the rights of Palestinian people.
President Brown addressed last year’s bargaining, emphasizing that ETFO and other unions fought hard to successfully secure central agreements for all ETFO members, in the longest bargaining round in history. “The government didn’t just get up one day and decide that teachers and education workers deserved a raise,” she said.
Those agreements included the Bill 124 remedy, which went all the way to Ontario’s Superior Court, and that this additional funding for ETFO members was unpaid wages that the Ford government unconstitutionally stripped from the last collective agreement.
Reflecting on a possible early election and noting that elections are about accountability Brown said, “ETFO members overwhelmingly want a new government.”
“ETFO has been preparing to mobilize our members to ensure that Ontario has a government that is committed to investing in public education and public services,” said Brown. “Through the courts, at the bargaining table, and at the ballot box we need to continue to defend our members and defend public education,” she concluded.
Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie
Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie brought greetings on behalf of the Ontario Liberal Party and talked about how she would be a Premier that invests in public services. Crombie thanked educators for working so hard to support students. She said, “Doug Ford isn’t here for you and he definitely isn’t here for our kids. He’s starving the education system to benefit his rich friends and donors.”
“Education is economic policy,” she concluded, “and we can’t compete in the world without it. Educators and students deserve so much more than what they are getting from Doug Ford. We need smaller classes, comprehensive special education policy, investments in front line supports. Ontarians are counting on us. Let’s not let them down.”
Yves Durocher, President of the Ontario Teachers' Federation
President Yves Durocher reflected on the work of the Ontario Teachers Federation, focusing on their advocacy for students, teachers and public schools. “The OTF is 80 years old this year. The number one object is to promote and advance the cause of education,” he said.
One of the priorities in the upcoming year is organizing to replace the Conservative government. Reflecting on the impact of electing progressive provincial governments, Durocher said, “the election of a more progressive government has changed our colleagues lives for the better in other provinces.”
Leader Of The Ontario NDP Marit Stiles
Marit Stiles brought greetings on behalf of the Ontario NDP, reflecting on her years supporting and organizing with educators. “Our public education system is holding on by a thread,” she said. “Kids are struggling to learn, educators are left without the supports that they desperately need and parents are told that the best they can expect is the basics.”
Even with all of these issues, Stiles said she is still optimistic. “Doug Ford is banking on people feeling too overwhelmed to come out for an early election, but I say bring it on. I want to put education back where it belongs on the top of the government’s agenda. Let’s topple this government and remind people that their children deserve better than basic,” she concluded.
Social Justice Action
Jhoey Dulaca an organizer from the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change spoke to members about her experience coming to Canada as a live-in caregiver. “Just like you, caregivers are essential to this society. But our permits are connected to our employers and that can lead to abuse. The reality of being a temporary foreign worker often means living in fear and many of us become undocumented.”
Sharing her story, she asked educators for their solidarity in demanding that the government regularize and give rights to all undocumented people and shared a QR Code so members can take part in an action.
“Together we can work for a just society for everyone,” she concluded.
Chris Koch, Social Justice Speaker
Disability Activist Chris Koch reflected on the power of self-acceptance, stressing his motto “If I can….” He talked about how he has overcome adversity in his life and how he was raised to follow his dreams and work toward his goals. He attributes the ease of his growing up to his attitude, including his sense of humour. “If you worry about how you look, you’re cheating yourself of opportunities,” he said.
“I want to open people’s eyes to what’s possible and advocate for other people with disabilities,” he said. Talking about how he moves around on his long board, Koch reflected on how he started doing marathons. His first attempt to participate in a marathon was on Valentine’s Day in Los Angeles, but the organizers would not accept his skateboard as a mobility device. From there, he had a discussion with a marathon in Calgary, which decided to allow the longboard. Since then, he’s done 17 marathons, and will soon be participating in the New York Marathon.
“I hope my doing marathons makes other people with disabilities realize that doing a marathon is within the realm of possibility,” he said. “Everyone in this room can do some pretty amazing things,” he concluded.
Heidi Yetman, President Canadian Teacher Federation
President Heidi Yetman brought greetings on behalf of the Canadian Teacher Federation. “Across the country,” she said, “educators are facing governments that do not value education. From Quebec, where workers voted for an unlimited strike, to Saskatchewan where educators refused two government proposals that they felt did not respect their profession, to Nova Scotia, teachers are saying “no. When we work together, we win together,” said Yetman.
Yetman talked about the Pan Canadian strategy to address the recruitment and retention crisis. “We don’t have a shortage of teachers. We have a shortage of good working conditions. We have a shortage of teachers feeling valued.”
“When governments don’t put money into education, they’re not putting money into democracy. You are the champions of democracy. Solidarity my friends,” she concluded.
Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner brought greetings to the ETFO Annual Meeting, thanking educators in the room and across the province for the work they do for students and communities. “I often talk about the climate crisis,” said Schreiner. “But there is a deeper crisis in Ontario right now. A crisis of caring.”
He told the delegates that the Ontario Green Party will work with them to change that. “The Greens would work with ETFO and other education unions and across party lines to provide lower class sizes, hire education workers and support staff so teachers have the supports that are needed in Ontario classrooms, and ensure that educators have the resources to address the rising levels of violence in schools. The Greens are here to be your voice at Queen’s Park and work with you and for you,” he concluded.
ETFO Award Winners 2024
Congratulations to all ETFO Award winners, recognized at the ETFO 2024 Annual Meeting on August 13, 2024
Anti-Bias Award
Teresa Weselake, Renfrew County Teacher Local
Anti-Racist and Equity Activism Award
Nadia Hohn, Elementary Teachers of Toronto Local Neeru Sekhon, Peel Teacher Local
Anti-Racist and Equity Activism Award – Women’s Program
Ailise Byrne, Halton Teacher Local Danica Vidotto, Upper Canada Occasional Teacher Local
Arts and Culture Award
Kara Neufeglise, Upper Grand Teacher Local
Children’s Literature Award
Serena Virk, Peel Teacher Local
Environmental Education Award
Avery Whelan, Lambton Kent Teacher Local
Health and Safety Activist Award
Jennifer Manners, Hamilton-Wentworth DECE Local
International Humanitarian Award for an ETFO Member
Sezgin Nalsok, Halton Teacher Local
International Humanitarian Award for a non-ETFO Member
Vickram Bachan Local
Humanitarian Award for an ETFO Member
Jennifer Hanna-Gardiner, Lakehead Teacher Local
Member Service and Engagement Award
Lakehead Teacher Local
New Member Award
Christina Brassett, Greater Essex County Occasional Teacher Local
Outstanding Role Model for Women Award – Women’s Program
Bea Yeung, Upper Grand Teacher Local
Professional Learning and Curriculum Development Award
Tammara Smith, Renfrew County Teacher Local
Rainbow Visions Award
Keith Tait, Niagara Teacher Local
Women Who Develop Special Projects in Science and Technology Award
Anu Bahri, Elementary Teachers of Toronto Local
Writer’s Award
Michelle McKay and Klara Redford, Peel Teacher Local
Writer’s Award – Women’s Program
Natasha Nguyen, Peel Teacher Local
President Karen Brown, Closing Remarks
ETFO President Karen Brown spoke at the close of the 2024 ETFO Annual Meeting, thanking the Provincial Executive, the Annual Meeting Committee, parliamentary team, poll clerks, staff, and all delegates, for participating in the Federation’s democratic process.
She spoke about the challenges ETFO members, students, and families face in Ontario schools. “Learning is being disrupted and violence is being normalized because the public education system is suffering from chronic underfunding, under-resourcing, and understaffing. We need to create environments where student needs are being met,” she said. “Students need timely access to assessments to identify exceptionalities and learning needs and adequate staffing to support their learning.”
Brown underscored the importance of local leaders and members being active on these issues. Member engagement is key, especially for members in their first five years.
On the coming provincial election she said, “While it may not be clear when exactly Doug Ford and the PC Party of Ontario will call an election, we know the opportunity to change government is coming and it is coming soon,” she said.
“We need to help get Ontarians out to the polls and voting for the change our public schools and public services need.”
“Together we win,” she concluded. “I am looking forward to organizing with all of you for what undoubtedly will be an exciting year ahead.”
