“WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO HALT THE PERMANENT EXPANSION OF ONLINE AND HYBRID MODELS UNDER THE GUISE OF PARENTAL CHOICE AND THE PUSH TO SIPHON PUBLIC FUNDS TO SUPPORT CHARTER AND HOME


SCHOOLING. PUBLIC EDUCATION IS THE GREAT EQUALIZER AND WE MUST PUSH BACK AGAINST PRIVATIZATION.”


ports and staffing for students with special needs, language to address violence in class- rooms and preservation of our benefits. In solidarity with all four affiliates, educators participated in a one-day strike to call for well-funded public schools. Through this pandemic, we have de-


manded safer schools and have shed light on the inequities of online learning. As we enter the fall, our members’ resolve will continue to be strong as we work to ensure appropriate measures are in place for a safe return to school and beyond.


VOICE: What do you see as our greatest challenges as we head into what is hope- fully our COVID-19 recovery but also our next round of bargaining?


KB: Obtaining a commitment from this government to invest the resources needed for a safe school year. Their commitments are few, late and short of what our members need to feel safe in their classrooms/work- sites. Vaccines cannot be the only solution. The Ford government must commit to low- ering class sizes to ensure physical distanc- ing; to maintaining cohorting that limits interactions; improving classroom/worksite ventilation; mandating masking for all el- ementary students, including Kindergarten, unless medically exempted; requiring con- firmation of COVID-19 screening of staff and students; providing on-site testing; and directing adequate safeguards for student transportation. All of these measures will help avoid the school closures we experi- enced last year. We are challenged by the Ford govern-


ment’s refusal to engage education stake- holders on key areas of interest and their back peddling on decisions including scrap- ping the Indigenous learning workshops and removal of the anti-racism framework from the Grade 9 math curriculum. This government has also used its legis- lative powers to enact strips they could not


obtain through the collective bargaining pro- cess. Our Labour Relations Board challenge on Regulation 274 is a clear indicator that this government will do whatever it takes to appease their base. We will continue to fight to halt the per-


manent expansion of online and hybrid mod- els under the guise of parental choice and the push to siphon public funds to support char- ter and home schooling. Public education is the great equalizer and we must push back against privatization. We will bargain to enshrine language


that protects the health and safety of all our members, that addresses the intermittent use of online learning only in emergency situa- tions and that protects Ontario’s public edu- cation system for all students.


VOICE: The pandemic has had a dispro- portionate impact on already marginalized communities. How do we ensure that equity is at the centre of our recovery plans?


KB: The pandemic has highlighted exist- ing inequities, and the challenges that many face such as housing, food insecurity, mental health, precarious employment and racism. Job losses have disproportionately im-


pacted Indigenous peoples, racialized com- munities, women, low-wage workers, people with disabilities, young people and newcom- ers. There needs to be a systemic response that is adapted to the needs of these communities. For many Black and Indigenous communities there is a lack of trust in the health care sys- tem due to racism. The pandemic measures that are in place are challenging to carry out because of these social and economic inequi- ties. Any plan for recovery must be from an anti-oppressive, anti-colonial framework that has been developed in consultation with the communities most affected. We know that student mental health is a


major concern and we will need to ensure the necessary long-term supports are in place to help students stay engaged and connected.


Investing in public services, mental health supports for Black, Indigenous and 2SLG- BTQ+ youth will be part of a just recovery. Centring an equitable recovery will also


require us to continue to push for access to af- fordable childcare and a living wage for every- one, which are important to building a more equitable and more prosperous Ontario.


VOICE: One of ETFO’s priorities for the coming year is defeating the Conserva- tives in the June 2022 provincial election. Why do we need ETFO members to get active in their local communities?


KB: What we have seen with the use of the notwithstanding clause to enact uncon- stitutional changes to our election laws is that Doug Ford believes that his re-election is more important than our democratic rights. Throughout this pandemic, he re- fused to recall the legislature to expedite measures to help Ontarians in long-term care homes, ICUs, schools and daycares. What we saw was a recall of the legislature to secure and preserve his political power. If this is not reason enough for Ontarians in every community to mobilize, I am not sure what is. ETFO members need to tell our stories, about the underfunding of the public education system and what it means to work with fewer resources and more challenges. Our members can be champions of public education by elevating the voices of those who need to be heard. Building better schools is a part of building a bet- ter Ontario and building stronger public services. Defeating this government will require local communities to mobilize for change. ETFO members can connect with one of ETFO’s regional organizers and talk with friends, family and colleagues about why we need a government that will invest in public education and other public ser- vices. Your voice is powerful! You can start your activism by signing up at BuildingBet- terSchools.ca/mobilize. n


ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 9


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