KATHLEEN WYNNE PREMIER OF ONTARIO
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne told an- nual meeting delegates she is looking for- ward to building on our collective successes in education. Acknowledging the fl aws in the bargaining process last time, Wynne stressed that her recently elected majority govern- ment is committed to fair collective bargain- ing under the new two-tiered bargaining process. She referred to respect for the work teachers do and the democratic process as being key. Wynne spoke of her government’s priorities in helping families and communi- ties to be stronger through a four-pillar plan: workplace training and skills, investment in physical infrastructure such as schools and roads, a business environment that invites expansion, and the building of retirement security. She reminded delegates that the government must take into account the fi scal challenges that Ontario continues to face. Af- ter her address, Wynne answered questions from the fl oor and heard from ETFO mem- bers directly about their concerns.
DIANNE WOLOSCHUK PRESIDENT, CANADIAN TEACHERS’ FEDERATION
CTF’s president, Dianne Woloschuk, report- ed on the increasing infl uence of a market- based economy on education systems and illustrated how corporate-driven school reforms are having a negative effect on the quality of public education. Woloschuk reas- sured delegates: “Our education system is a refl ection of our society as well as a vehicle to transform it.” She told delegates that teachers’ federations are coming together to oppose an “edu-business” model. Woloschuk thanked ETFO for championing equity and social justice issues, mentioning specifi cally ETFO member involvement in the Project Overseas program and on CTF advisory committees.
DIANE REDSKY SOCIAL JUSTICE SPEAKER, CANADIAN WOMEN’S FOUNDATION
Dianne Redsky, project director of the Ca- nadian Women’s Foundation’s Task Force on Traffi cking of Women and Girls in Canada, shared disturbing information about sex traffi cking and human traffi cking in Canada. She revealed that the issue is deeply gendered involving very young girls, and that the ma- jority of cases are related to Canadian citi- zens, not immigrants. Redsky reported that CWF is working to end the problem, with a strong focus on survivor-led initiatives. CWF recently arranged a roundtable session that included 160 survivors, as well as school, child welfare, and community organizations representatives. Redsky emphasized that ju- venile prostitution is a form of child abuse and spoke about how critical educators can be in raising awareness, seeing signs of abuse and educating people about abuse.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 11
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