FROM THE PRESIDENT
IN SOLIDARITY, FOR OUR STUDENTS AND OUR FUTURE
I
t is with immense pride and a deep sense of responsibility that I assume the role of president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario. I am honoured
to have the opportunity to build on ETFO’s powerful legacy of advocacy – one rooted in an unshakeable commitment to justice, eq- uity and a strong, inclusive public education system for every student. I want to begin by extending my grati-
tude to our outgoing president, Karen Brown. Karen’s fierce defence of public schools, her commitment to equity and her profound dedication to the well-being of ev- ery student and educator have leſt an indel- ible mark on our union and have fortified our foundation. Looking forward, ETFO’s priorities are
clear: We will continue to protect public edu- cation and work together and with our com- munities to advance equity and social jus- tice. Central to this mission is the upcoming 2026 round of collective bargaining, where the critical issue of class size is intrinsically linked to equity. Large classes cause all stu- dents to struggle, but disproportionately im- pact those who are most vulnerable. Smaller classes are fundamental to building the calm, inclusive and identity-affirming learning en- vironments that allow every child to thrive. Tey also allow us to address educator work- ing conditions, including the retention and recruitment crisis. Reducing class size in Ontario pub-
lic schools requires investment. It means valuing students and educators and under- standing where resources are most needed. Instead of investing in public schools, the Ford government has cut funding and un- dermined the structures that ensure demo- cratic representation. On May 29, the government introduced
Bill 33, a sweeping and dangerous piece of legislation that would allow the Ministry of Education to take over any school board and paves the way to bring police back into public schools. Tis is part of a broader strategy to undermine and underfund pub- lic education, creating a crisis meant to ush- er in privatization.
You see this happening across the public
sector. Te government starves the services and social safety nets Ontarians rely on then claims they aren’t working. In reality, these vital resources are being held together by the professionalism and determination of workers. Tis is not sustainable, nor is it fair to the dedicated public servants who make Ontario work. In public education, trustees are elected to
be local advocates for students and families. For our education system to remain respon- sive and accountable, trustees must be free to speak out without fear of being removed in response to principled advocacy. Local voices are critical to local school board governance. Our communities are vastly different across the province and they should not be gov- erned solely by the dictate of the education minister in Toronto. I urge every member to reach out to your school board trustees and thank them for
their advocacy. Contact your MPPs and de- mand they oppose Bill 33. To those of you in boards already under provincial control, your advocacy is more critical than ever. If your elected trustees can no longer cham- pion the needs of your community, you must hold your MPP directly accountable for the lack of support and resources available to the children in our schools. ETFO members know that when work-
ers organize together, we win. Our collec- tive voice is our most powerful tool. I was inspired to rally with Air Canada flight at- tendants in my first week as president, and by their historic campaign for workplace im- provements and against unfair government interference in collective bargaining. In the year ahead, I look forward to orga-
nizing with all of you to defend a public edu- cation system that is equitable, inclusive and worthy of every student it serves. – David Mastin
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 5
PHOTO BY CHRISTINE COUSINS
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