Your Federation: Summer 2025
Spring Representative Council
President Karen Brown welcomed delegates to May Representative Council. Reflecting on ETFO’s recently launched report Promises Unfulfilled, President Brown talked about the 27 concrete recommendations in the report that are intended to ensure students with special education needs receive the supports they deserve and are legally entitled to. The press conference launching the report, which can be viewed on ETFO’s YouTube channel, included parent voices from the Ontario Autism Coalition and special education advisory committees along with the expertise of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and ETFO members. The report and associated materials are available on etfo.ca.
President Brown also talked about how ETFO put significant energy and resources into engaging and mobilizing members during the recent federal and provincial elections. “Locals across the province released members to mobilize during the provincial election,” she said. “You held phone banks, texted your members, had school visits and workplace meetings. You asked other members not only to vote, but to bring others to the polls with them. Your locals recommended endorsements to the provincial Executive, and distributed platform comparisons and other materials to members.”
“I am incredibly proud of the work we have done collectively over the past year,” she concluded. “And I am so thankful for the work each of you do, every day, to support our members and advocate for our public education system.”
Guest speaker Mackenzie Kolton, director of learning at Egale Canada, talked about the purpose of Egale and how educators can implement practices that support 2SLGBTQ+ students in their classrooms. Reflecting on her own experience coming out in high school, Kolton talked about the importance of having the support of a teacher. “Without that teacher I don’t know if I would be here at all,” said Kolton. “And I definitely wouldn’t be doing this work.”
Kolton encouraged ETFO member to get curious, learn and grow. Talking about the significant number of 2SLGBTQ+ students who are bullied in schools and the importance of reflecting and supporting their experiences she said, “Together we can imagine a world that is different than what currently exists.”
Pride 2025
Pride is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate with those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ and to come together to support the ongoing fight against homophobia, transphobia, and a broad range of intersectional oppression experienced by members of the rainbow community. Pride is also an integral part of inclusive classrooms. ETFO continues to work towards creating safe and inclusive spaces in Ontario’s public schools and classrooms. Check out the list of local Pride events at etfo.ca.
National Indigenous Peoples Day
In co-operation with national Indigenous organizations, the Government of Canada designated June 21 National Indigenous Peoples Day. This date was chosen because it corresponds to the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and because for generations, many Indigenous groups have celebrated their culture and heritage at this time of year. National Indigenous History Month in June is an opportunity to teach students about the cultural diversity of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Canada and to celebrate the unique contributions of Indigenous Peoples. You can find great resources at etfofnmi.ca.
Promises Unfulfilled
Special Education Position Paper
ETFO’s new position paper, Promises Unfulfilled: Addressing the Special Education Crisis in Ontario, serves as a renewed call to action to finally address the shortcomings of a system that is failing children with disabilities and special education needs in Ontario.
Demanding change, the 27 recommendations included in this report are based on research, statistics, expert analysis, and input from educators directly impacted by the current reality and complexities in our schools.
Find the full report and related materials at etfo.ca and take action at buildingbetterschools.ca.
