to lead this organization today. I am en- couraged by the work we are doing in the area of equity, specifically anti-Black rac- ism, and the leadership programs we have in place to engage more diverse leaders in our union and profession.
VOICE: What is your vision for public education in Ontario?
KB: My vision is a public education system that provides equitable access to all learners regardless of their race, ability, religion, sexual orientation, geographic location or economic status. An Ontario that is fully funded with smaller classes and the supports and re- sources our students need to thrive! A system where our members’ professional judgment is respected and their expertise is valued. A sys- tem where the health and safety of our mem- bers is protected, enforced and modelled to the highest standard. A system that puts stu- dents before profits and is committed to ex- panding and enhancing public education. A system that teaches and celebrates the history and contributions of all peoples to this great province and country. Since taking office, this government has
“INVESTING IN PUBLIC SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS FOR BLACK, INDIGENOUS AND 2SLGBTQ+ YOUTH WILL BE PART OF A JUST RECOVERY. CENTRING AN EQUITABLE RECOVERY WILL ALSO REQUIRE US TO CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE AND A LIVING WAGE, WHICH ARE IMPORTANT TO BUILDING A MORE EQUITABLE AND MORE PROSPEROUS ONTARIO.”
8 ETFO VOICE | FALL 2021
would impact, influence and lead change within ETFO. After being successfully elect- ed at the local level, I went on to serve as Vice President for nine years and was the first ra- cialized woman to run for the office of Presi- dent of my local. I was not successful in my attempts, but continued to work and sup- port the leadership at the time that in turn supported my bid to run for VP female at the provincial level. I then ran for First Vice- President and through persistence, courage and strength, I am now serving as the fifth president of ETFO and the first racialized person to hold that office. This is a signifi- cant milestone for ETFO as we continue to lead change in the areas of equity and social justice. We have demonstrated to others that we must make room for diverse voices at decision-making tables and to in fact lead those tables.
ETFO has guaranteed funding for wom-
en’s programs and those programs enabled me to develop my skills and fuel my passion
attempted to push an austerity agenda with early cuts to public services and a mandated 1% wage freeze for all public services. Their attacks on public education began with consultations to justify their slash and burn agenda and predetermined plans to expedite legislative reforms. Our members, the public and communities pushed back and attended these consultations in record numbers. We marched with thousands to reinstate the 2015 health curriculum and took the Ford government to court over our members’ right to use their professional judgement to implement it. We mobilized educators, par- ents and the public to maintain the current model of Full-Day Kindergarten and for caps on class size for Kindergarten and grades 1-3. ETFO campaigned for the return of the two percent of lost pay from the 2008 round of bargaining. We brought forward a Charter Challenge against Bill 115, challenged the revocation of Regulation 274 at the On- tario Labour Relations Board, won the re- cent Charter Challenge against Bill 254 and now are continuing our Charter Challenge against Bill 307. Our members participated in “walk-ins”
with their communities and held strong for five days of strike action in the 2019 round of bargaining, which resulted in more sup-
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