Y OUR FEDER A TION - ANNU AL MEETING 2021


PRESIDENT HAMMOND’S OPENING REMARKS


I


n his final opening address as president, President Hammond thanked members for their incredible work during such a difficult year in a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. He thanked local leaders


and members of the provincial Executive for their work and highlighted the importance of the lobbying, advocacy and organizing ETFO members engaged in to pressure the govern- ment to put in place additional safety measures in public schools. President Hammond looked back at some


of the achievements ETFO members have fought for: “Twelve years ago, when I was elected president, I could not have imagined all the in- credible work we would accomplish together. We fought for full-day Kindergarten, to bring Des- ignated Early Childhood Educators into ETFO and 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 Ontario Labour Relations Board, won the re- cent Charter challenge against Bill 254 and now are continuing our Charter challenge against Bill 307. As the Ford government pushes for the ex-


tension of online learning beyond the pandemic, we are fighting back against the privatization of our public education system.” President Hammond addressed the under-


funding of public education by the Ford gov- ernment and the projected budget cuts to pub- lic education over the coming decade. He spoke about the Ford government’s attack on demo- cratic rights and the use, for the first time in Ontario’s history, of the notwithstanding clause to pass Bill 307 which reintroduced changes to election laws that the Ontario Superior Court had ruled unconstitutional. President Hammond issued a call to ac-


tion to all educators and supporters of public education: “On June 2, 2022, we must elect


a government that prioritizes our safety and well-being and believes in a publicly funded and publicly delivered education system. We must elect a government that understands that our long-term recovery from this pan- demic relies on investment in our communi- ties and our public services. But we will have to spend this year working hard together to make that happen.” “I know that working together to defend


and advance public education and for the benefit and well-being of all our communities will bring all of us renewed energy and hope. A heartfelt thank you to all of you. What an incredible pleasure and honour it has been to serve as your president,” he concluded.


ANDREA HORWATH Leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party


tors for all the work they do in the classroom and particularly over the past year and a half during COVID-19. “Teachers and education workers, you are pandemic heroes,” she said. “You showed kindness, dedication, profession- alism and grit. Educators have been the lifeline as children have struggled with big emotions and mental health.” She also talked about the ways in which educators have advocated for


A 42 ETFO VOICE | FALL 2021


ndrea Horwath brought greetings to Annual Meeting delegates on behalf of the Ontario NDP. She thanked educa-


children and public education before the pan- demic, fighting for investment,


for smaller


classes, and for safe and healthy schools for ev- eryone. “It’s time to invest in our schools, have more caring adults in every building and paid sick days for everyone,” she said. “You deserve a premier who prioritizes public education.” “The election is only ten months away,” she


concluded. “We can make sure schools oppor- tunities for kids, and respect for teachers and education workers is front and centre.” Hor- wath urged educators to get involved.


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