FROM THE PRESIDENT


IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE AND AN HONOUR TO SERVE AS YOUR PRESIDENT


I


want to start my last column for Voice by saying a big thank you to ETFO members, ETFO leaders and ETFO staff. You are all incredible advocates for public education and the reason why every day, Ontario students get to


participate in one of the best public educa- tion systems in the world. Twelve years ago, when I was elected pres-


ident, I could not have imagined all the in- credible work we would accomplish together. We fought for Full-Day Kindergarten, to bring Designated Early Childhood Educators into ETFO and for the return of the 2 percent of lost pay from the 2008 round of bargain- ing. We brought forward a Charter Challenge against Bill 115, challenged the revocation of Regulation 274 at the Ontario Labour Rela- tions Board and began our 2021 Charter Challenge against Bill 254, which attempts to silence critics of the Conservative govern- ment in the run up to the 2022 provincial election. As the Ford government pushes for the extension of online learning beyond the pandemic, we are fighting back against the privatization of our public education system. Together we have had some of our tough-


est rounds of bargaining and this year, chart- ed our way through COVID-19; supporting our colleagues, our students and their fami- lies. We collaborated with scientists, parents and community allies to force this govern- ment to invest not only in our public schools, but in the welfare of our communities. Over the past decade, we have worked


together to advance equity in our education system and beyond and have created impor- tant resources and supports for educators along the way. We have moved all of Ontario forward through our work on addressing white privilege, confronting racism in all its forms and implementing a long-term strat- egy to combat anti-Black racism. We have worked to address colonialism and towards reconciliation in partnership with Indige- nous communities and to fight homophobia and transphobia alongside 2SLGBTQ+ com- munities. We have also worked to help unify the labour movement and solidify the role of


educators. I am so proud of our Federation and so grateful to have had this opportunity to work and organize with all of you. Since their election in 2018, Ford’s Con-


servatives have failed Ontarians on so many fronts. Nothing has made this clearer than their refusal to invest in the health and well- being of Ontarians as we struggled through the COVID-19 pandemic. While already marginalized communities bore the brunt of the crisis, we saw how gender, compounded by intersections of race, ability, status, lan- guage, precarity and other factors deter- mined both how we were impacted and the kinds of resources available to each of us. As we look forward, those that have been most affected must be centred and prioritized. On June 2, 2022, we have the opportunity


to elect a new government. One that prioritiz- es all of our safety and well-being and believes in a publicly funded and delivered education system. But we will have to organize to make


that happen. If you haven’t already done so, join the campaign at BuildingBetterSchools. ca/mobilize. There are ETFO organizers in your local community who will reach out to you after you have signed onto the campaign. I leave ETFO in the excellent hands of our


new president and Provincial Executive, who will be elected at our August annual meeting, our tireless local leaders and our dedicated staff. I know that we will have many oppor- tunities to work together as I start my new role as president of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation and look forward to organizing with you in the coming year. I know that working together to defend and advance public education and for the benefit and well-being of all our communities will bring renewed energy and hope. Once again, a heartfelt thank you. What


an incredible pleasure and honour it has been to serve as your president.


– Sam Hammond ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 5


PHOTO BY KATHRYN GAITENS


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52