teachers are bargaining for a better deal for our 
classrooms … with smaller classes and more sup-
port for children with special needs.” The other 
focused on assessment, given that the govern-
ment cancelled EQAO tests as a result of member 
strike action. The ad, broadcast while students 
would normally be writing the EQAO tests, con-
trasted the assessment directed by ETFO mem-
bers who know their students with the standard-
ized tests demanded by the government.

ETFO at Queen’s Park

ETFO representatives held a number of meetings 
with MPPs during the year, in particular with the 
New Democratic Party (NDP) and Progressive 
Conservative education critics and with newly 
elected MPPs including ETFO members NDP 
MPP Jennifer French and Liberal MPP Ann 
Hoggarth. The meetings focused on promoting 
the Federation’s Building Better Schools plan and 
advising MPPs of issues related to the impasse in 
central table bargaining.

ETFO continued to bring forward the Federation’s 
ongoing concerns regarding the full-day 
Kindergarten program to Ministry of Education 
officials, the offices of the Premier and Minister of 

Education and the opposition parties. The Ministry’s 
plans for Kindergarten assessment, evaluation and 
reporting and the professional learning required 
to support the new initiatives were central to the 
meetings with government officials. 

ETFO continued to monitor the government’s plans 
to move forward with amendments to the Ontario 
Colleges of Teachers Act related to the investiga-
tion and discipline of members facing allegations. 
Legislation introduced in September 2013 has been 
relegated to the back burner while the government 
focuses on education sector bargaining.

ETFO worked directly and in collaboration with the 
Ontario Federation of Labour to profile workplace 
health and safety issues. In the spring, ETFO First 
Vice-President Susan Swackhammer presented 
to the Select Committee on Sexual Violence and 
Harassment, sharing the Federation’s involve-
ment in these issues as they relate to both the 
workplace and society in general.

ETFO supported the efforts of the Rainbow locals 
to elect an NDP candidate in the February 2015 
Sudbury by-election. It was held to replace ETFO 
member Joe Cimino who resigned, citing family 
reasons, less than six months after being elected. 
Liberal candidate Glenn Thibeault was successful 
in the by-election.

Photo: Vivian McCaffrey

Photo: Kathryn Gaitens

MPPs Jennifer French (L) and Anne Hoggarth 
with ETFO President Sam Hammond.

First Vice-President Susan Swackhammer 
presents to Select Committee on Sexual 
Violence and Harassment.

ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO

REPORT TO THE 2015 ANNUAL MEETING

Advancing and Protecting Our Union, Our Values and Our Profession

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