Elementary Educators

📣📣📣 ETFO MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENT As we approach the end of the #onted school year and the expiry of the collective agreement, ETFO is holding all-member meetings across Ontario. Meetings start this week on April 22! It is vital that every member attend the meeting for their area to learn about the bargaining plan and the strike vote process. Find meeting details for your board at etfocb.ca/accordions/all…

Congratulations to the CLC Officers and the Canadian Council who will serve for the next 3 years. The CLC Convention 2026 Official Program has wrapped. Safe Travels to all the OFL affiliates and delegates returning home.

ETFO members took to the streets of Winnipeg with 1000s of workers at #CLC2026. We are united. We are determined. And we are fighting back for working people and a better future for children!

Today, we use our voices to speak up and affirm our commitment to act and end violence against Indigenous women and children. It's time for change, and it's time for healing! Together as #onted educators, parents, guardians, and friends, we must speak up, take action and educate to end gender-based violence. Learn about the #MooseHide campaign at moosehidecampaign.ca

I’m wearing this square of moose hide to raise awareness about the ongoing and devastating violence against Indigenous women and children. It’s at an alarming rate, and it’s absolutely unacceptable! Through learning, unlearning and action, we, as men, can and must change harmful narratives and stop gender-based violence. @Moose_Hide #cdnpoli

Earlier today, ETFO Upper Canada educator spoke at #CLC2026 on the ‘We Fight for Dignity’ Action plan. She reminded delegates about the importance of ensuring everyone, regardless of ability, has the resources & supports they need to fully participate!! Access = inclusion #canlab

Waterloo DECE member at #CLC2026 speaks to ‘We Care for All’ action plan and calls on @Canadianlabour to fight for investment in childcare. We need the federal government to expand low-fee programs and improve access. A universal public child care system is good for everyone! #canlab

Everywhere we go, the people want to know who we are. We are ETFO! The mighty teachers and education workers in Ontario public education. And we wear red #Red4Ed as a symbol of collective unity that we are fighting for students and public education! #CLC2026

From the floor of #CLC2026 @ETFOpresident shares a message and explains why our union is proudly part of the labour movement in Canada. #canlab-stronger together ✊🏽✊🏼✊🏿

In response to the provincial government’s 2026‑27 core #onted education funding announcement, ETFO says: "Families must not overlook the Ford government’s failures. They must raise their voices with their members of provincial parliament and the Minister of Education. ETFO will do the same.  If this government genuinely cares about student success and well‑being, it will listen and act on the improvements that are urgently needed.” #onpoli

Calling this #onpoli budget ‘record‑breaking’ is meaningless when it fails to meet the needs of students, especially those with disabilities. Educators have been clear that we need adequate, stable, inflation‑protected funding to support all learners. This government continues to ignore these calls, choosing instead to mask real‑dollar cuts with political spin. READ OUR RELEASE: etfo.ca/news-publicati… #onted

Educators are working in a chronically underfunded system, and these cuts impact student learning and working conditions. Addressing delegates at #CLC2026, @DurhamETFO delegate spoke about the right to refuse unsafe work and the increase of violence in #onted resulting from unmet needs and underfunding. Violence is not part of anyone's job! #canlab

This week, ETFO educators are in Winnipeg at #CLC2026 with 1000s of @CanadianLabour union members from public and private sectors. The debates, democratic decisions and connections we make this week strengthen our unity and resolve. Together, as unionists, we are building our collective fight back. #canlab

The Auditor-General’s report is "another damning indictment of a government that has abandoned its responsibility to Ontario’s most vulnerable learners," said @etfopresident David Mastin. "After more than a decade of chronic underfunding and policy decisions that have stripped supports out of classrooms, school boards simply cannot meet the needs of children with disabilities." Education funding isn’t keeping up with soaring number of students with special needs, Ontario A-G says /via @globeandmail theglobeandmail.com/canada/article…

“Ensuring all Ontarians thrive is essential for the economic and social health of the province. That support begins in elementary school. The unfortunate reality is that educators and families continue to be faced with an ableist system that is failing our children on a daily basis,” adds Mastin. “Students with disabilities cannot wait any longer. The need is urgent, and the Ford government must act now.” @ETFOpresident. Read the full release etfo.ca/news-publicati… #onted #onpoli

ETFO responds to auditor’s report on #onted special education, and @ETFOpresident says, “This report is another damning indictment of a government that has abandoned its responsibility to Ontario’s most vulnerable learners. After more than a decade of chronic underfunding and policy decisions that have stripped supports out of classrooms, school boards simply cannot meet the needs of children with disabilities. The system isn’t just strained; it’s fundamentally ableist.” SEE RELEASE👇 etfo.ca/news-publicati… #onpoli

Day 2 of #CLC2026 has begun! #CatholicTeachers welcomed @ETFOeducators Pres. David Mastin, @OSSTF Pres. Martha Hradowy, MTS Pres. Lillian Klausen, and @BCTF Pres. Carole Gordon to our morning caucus meeting. Together, we advocate for publicly funded education across Canada!

Minister Calandra doesn’t need to hear from supervisors about the funding formula or special education because “we have education workers in every single school and every single community that could tell you what’s wrong ... what’s happening on the ground is not being addressed. Student needs are not being addressed," said @ETFOpresident David Mastin. Ontario education minister reveals what school boards must do to end supervision #onted #onpoli thestar.com/news/gta/ontar… via @torontostar

A message from Chief Ackabee of #GrassyNarrows First Nation to @MarkJCarney Please sign and share this petition for mercury justice you.leadnow.ca/petitions/merc… #FreeGrassy #ShutDownDrydenMill

26 miners died at Westray. 34 years later, negligent employers are still rarely held accountable. In 20+ years, there have been just 29 Westray charges. The law exists. Enforcement doesn’t. We need mandatory training + national protocols now. Statement: canadianlabour.ca/bruske-mandato…