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Ontario English Catholic Teachers

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Catholic Teachers Reach Tentative Agreement
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has released the following statement from President René Jansen in de Wal, announcing that the Association has reached a tentative agreement for its 45,000 Catholic-teacher members with the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association (OCSTA).
Ford Conservative Government to Blame for Teacher Recruitment and Retention Crisis
Minister of Education Stephen Lecce and the Ford government have finally admitted that they have a teacher recruitment and retention problem. In an article published in the Toronto Star on February 21, the minister said to reporters that the province is looking at “every option available” to help ease the shortage of teachers in school boards across Ontario. The government faces the same challenges with recruiting and retaining education workers who provide services and supports to students as well.
Catholic Teachers Celebrate and Champion Black History Month
As Catholic teachers, we are honoured to celebrate Black History Month in our classrooms, schools, and beyond. The rich histories, many achievements, and extraordinary cultural contributions of Black people, who have helped to build a more diverse, prosperous, compassionate, and beautiful society, are too often unrecognized.
97% Vote “YES”: Catholic Teachers Deliver Overwhelming Strike Mandate
In a province-wide vote conducted on October 18 and 19, Catholic teachers – the members of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) – delivered an overwhelming strike mandate, with 97 per cent voting in favour of authorizing strike action, if necessary.
A One-size-fits-all Approach to Binding Arbitration Will Not Serve Students and Local Communities
The Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), and Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) issued the following statement today, in response to the announcement that the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) will be entering into binding arbitration with the Government of Ontario.
OECTA and ETFO Reach Settlements in Unfair Labour Practice Complaints Against Ford Government
Two weeks ago, ETFO and OECTA filed unfair labour practice complaints with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB), asserting that the Ford government violated its legal obligation to bargain in good faith by implementing Program/Policy Memorandum (PPM) 168: Reading Instruction and Early Reading Screening, as this issue has been a topic of discussion at the bargaining table.
Join Statement: Collective Bargaining Issues Should Stay at the Bargaining Table
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), the unions representing more than 125,000 teachers and education workers in publicly funded schools across Ontario, have released the following statement in response to the new Policy/Program Memorandum 168 – Reading Instruction and Early Reading Screening (PPM 168), which was released Friday without notice by the Ford Conservative government.
Catholic teachers recognize talented young authors

TORONTO – Forty-five students in publicly funded Catholic schools across Ontario, from Kindergarten through Grade 12, have been recognized by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) for excellence in writing.

Catholic Teachers Celebrate #Pride2023

“Catholic teachers join with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, as well as our families, students, and labour and social justice allies, in championing and celebrating Pride Month this June.

Underfunded Budget Continues Ford Government Assault on Publicly Funded Education

Toronto – The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has issued the following statement from President Barb Dobrowolski in response the announcement of the 2023 provincial budget:

“The Ford government has once again betrayed students, educators, families, and all Ontarians with a proposed budget that fails to keep up with inflation and threatens to erode the quality of publicly funded education."

Joint Media Release: Democracy Upheld Again in the Face of Ford’s Anti-worker Attacks

TORONTO, ON — The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) have released the following statement, in response to a ruling of the Court of Appeal for Ontario that strikes down Bill 307, the Protecting Elections and Defending Democracy Act, which saw the Ford government invoke the notwithstanding clause to override Ontarians’ Charter rights; attempt to silence its critics; and limit the voices of workers, labour unions, and all Ontarians to participate during the democratic election process.

Catholic Teachers Champion Black History Month

“As Catholic teachers, we have a duty to embrace Black History Month in our classrooms, to celebrate the rich history and contributions of Black people, who have helped to build a more diverse, prosperous, and beautiful society, and to address and reflect upon Canada’s history of racism.

Free and Fair Collective Bargaining Works

Today’s announcement from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) confirms that draconian legislation and the use of oppressive tools, such as the notwithstanding clause, are not necessary to achieve fairly negotiated agreements.

Catholic teachers join CUPE education workers in solidarity
Catholic teachers join in solidarity with the Ontario School Board Council of Unions’ (OSBCU) 55,000 Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) education worker members, as they fight for a fair agreement that supports their frontline education workers and the students they serve, free from the Ford government’s heavy-handed legislative interference.
Truth and Reconciliation requires action every day

“On September 30, as we commemorate and recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, we encourage teachers, students – everyone – to wear orange to acknowledge and confront the devastation that Canada’s residential school system has inflicted on Indigenous communities, and to honour Survivors and their families, as well as the children who did not return home.

Catholic teachers recognize talented young authors

Sixty-two students in publicly funded Catholic schools across Ontario, from Kindergarten through Grade 12, have been recognized by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) for excellence in writing.

Catholic teachers celebrate #Pride2022

“Catholic teachers join with our 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and labour and social justice allies in celebrating Pride Month this June, and we look forward to safely participating in and supporting Pride celebrations throughout Ontario.

Ford government threatens student success and well-being with underfunded education budget

TORONTO, ON — Ahead of the release of the 2022 provincial budget, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) are calling attention to the Ford government’s inadequate investment in publicly funded education and demanding real action to support students.

Call for AQ Curriculum Writers

The Association’s Professional Development (PD) department, in keeping with our commitment as a union to improving accessibility, inclusion, diversity, and equity (AIDE) in our classrooms and communities, is working to develop courses with an AIDE lens to support the needs of all Catholic teachers

Joint letter to the Minister of Education on De-streaming

Dear Minister Lecce

We are writing on behalf of 200,000 educators in Ontario’s publicly funded education system to offer our expertise and service as the government prepares to implement de-streaming in Ontario schools.

Catholic Teachers Celebrate Black History Month

Black History Month is an important opportunity for teachers, students, and our communities to celebrate the rich history and contributions of Black people, and to address and reflect upon Canada’s history of racism.

Ford government threatens student success with underfunded and inadequate learning recovery plan

TORONTO – The Ford government’s announcement of the 2022-23 Grants for Student Needs (GSNs) fails students, educators, and all Ontarians, yet again. Catholic teachers call on the Ford government to use the GSN formulas, which form the core element of the education budget, to make a real investment that will support student mental health, well-being, and a robust learning recovery.

Ontario’s Teacher Unions Demand Schools Reopen Safely
TORONTO, ON — Today, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) issued the following statement regarding the government’s decision to move forward with reopening schools on January 17:
Letter to Premier Ford

On December 16, to protect our schools, communities, and families, we wrote you requesting the implementation of a number of measures to stem the surge of the highly infectious Omicron variant.

Teachers and Education Workers Need Rapid Tests to Slow the Spread of Omicron
TORONTO, ON – Today, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) are issuing the following statement in support of school boards providing teachers and education workers with rapid tests for COVID-19 to make schools safer for students and their families:
Catholic Teachers Demand Safe Schools Now

TORONTO – In response to the Ford government’s incomplete and inadequate back-to-school plan, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has launched Safe Schools Now, a new campaign calling on the Ford government to invest in and implement the safety measures called for by education and public health experts for a safe and sustainable school year.

Ontario’s Teacher Unions Support Mandatory Vaccinations in Schools
Today, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) issued the following statement in support of mandatory vaccinations in schools:
Ontario’s teacher unions respond to Ford government’s inadequate back-to-school plan

TORONTO, ON—Today, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) issued the following statement in response to the Ford government’s release of its back-to-school plan

Catholic teachers recognize talented young authors

TORONTO – Fifty-eight students in publicly funded Catholic schools across Ontario, from Kindergarten through Grade 12, have been recognized by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) for excellence in writing.

Ford government’s survival more important than Ontarians’ Charter rights
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) respond to reports that the Ford government plans to invoke the notwithstanding clause and annul Justice Edward M. Morgan’s recent decision, striking down restrictions on third-party advertising during elections:
Education unions win major victory for Ontarians with Charter challenges to Bill 254
TORONTO, ON—The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) have won their constitutional challenges against the Ontario government’s Bill 254, Protecting Ontario Elections Act, 2021. They issued the following statement:
Catholic teachers condemn Islamophobic attack in London
Catholic teachers are deeply saddened by the horrific Islamophobic attack in London, Ontario that claimed the lives of four family members, and left the fifth, a nine-year-old boy, in the hospital with serious injuries.
Education unions file charter challenge over Bill 254

Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) have individually filed constitutional challenges against the Ontario government’s Bill 254, Protecting Ontario Elections Act, 2021.

Statement on Passage of Provincial Budget

The Ford government’s 2021 budget, which passed in the legislature today with almost $1 billion less for publicly funded schools, favours austerity at the cost of student well-being.

Media Advisory

ETFO holds press conference alongside education partners to share concerns about government’s plan to make virtual learning permanent

Catholic Teachers Elect New President

Delegates to the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) Annual General Meeting have elected the Provincial Executive for 2021-23.

Joint statement on Ontario budget from unions representing education workers

Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario, Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) released the following statement today in response to the Ontario budget announcement.

OTF, Affiliates call for immediate suspension of EQAO’s online literacy test pilot

Ontario’s publicly funded education system should not be subjected to a poorly timed experiment in large-scale, online assessment, especially during a pandemic. Yet, the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) is forging ahead with plans to administer the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).

Prioritizing front-line education workers during the vaccine rollout – letter from education affiliates

We are writing on behalf of the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), the Ontario School Board Council of Unions - CUPE Ontario, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) and the more than 250,000 education workers we collectively represent.

OECTA Statement Calling for Province-wide School Closures

“Premier Ford’s rhetoric about a province-wide crisis, including skyrocketing cases for children and youth, does not align with his government’s decision to keep some schools open and allow in-person learning for students with special education needs in others without putting in place all necessary safety measures.

Education Unions Call for Comprehensive Plan from Ford Government

The Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) released the following statement today.

Health Experts Show Need for Provincial Health and Safety Protocols in Schools

In August, Ontario’s four major education unions, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) requested a meeting with the Minister of Labour to discuss concerns with the government’s “Guide to Re-Opening Ontario’s Schools.”

Experts share their views on province’s flawed return to school plan

In the aftermath of the disappointing decision by the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) to dismiss, on jurisdictional grounds, the health and safety complaints regarding the re-opening of schools, Ontario’s four major education unions gathered, to make public, information that would have been presented at the hearing.

OECTA Statement on Federal Government Funding for School Reopening
“Catholic teachers recognize that even though education is clearly a provincial responsibility, the federal government has stepped up to help supplement the Ford government’s incomplete school reopening plan. We thank them for responding to the serious and sincere concerns of students, parents, and educators. However, we need to make sure that rather than letting the Ford government off the hook for their lack of leadership, Ontarians are intensifying the pressure on Premier Ford and Minister Lecce to finally live up to their responsibility to protect our communities.
Free Mental Health Literacy Course for Elementary Teachers

School Mental Health Ontario recently released a new MH LIT – Mental Health in Action literacy course. This course provides elementary educators with basic knowledge and information related to mental health, social-emotional learning, strategies to enhance student mental health, and everyday practices for use in the classroom. The free course will help you to:

OECTA Statement on the New Math Curriculum

“We all want to help students excel in math. But the revised math curriculum represents a significant change, one that will require a great deal of time, resources, and supports for teachers to understand and master..."

Education Unions’ Joint Statement On Introduction of Ontario Math Curriculum

TORONTO – The Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) released the following statement today.

Statement from OECTA President Liz Stuart on “Synchronous Learning”

“It is disappointing that the government continues to disregard the input of professional, frontline teachers. Our Association has been trying to work collaboratively with the Ministry of Education, to help respond to the COVID-19 emergency in a way that respects students’ diverse learning needs. Most especially, we have conveyed to them the many equity, privacy, and security issues that are created with the use of live video or audio.

OECTA Responds to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken over our lives so quickly it can be difficult to comprehend just how much has changed.
COVID-19 Update

The COVID-19 emergency is taking its toll on everyone. From health concerns, to economic shocks, to the challenges of social distancing and self-isolation, we are all affected.

OECTA Statement on Reaching Tentative Agreement
OECTA has reached a tentative agreement with the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association and the Government of Ontario on central terms for a new collective agreement.
OECTA Statement on Bargaining
Liz Stuart, President of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association, has issued the following statement on the status of contract negotiations with the Ford government.
Statement from OECTA President Liz Stuart on February 24 Negotiations
Catholic teachers have met more than 40 times with the government and the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association, made significant progress with the trustees on major issues, and offered flexible solutions to the government to help protect publicly funded education in Ontario.
OECTA to Enhance Administrative Job Action
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has announced that members will be enhancing their administrative job action beginning Tuesday, February 11.
Catholic Teachers to Launch Job Action

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has announced that unless a tentative agreement is reached, members across the province will be taking administrative job action beginning Monday, January 13.

Cuts Hurt Kids

See the cuts the government has made so far...

Education Unions Launch Charter Challenge Against Ford Government
TORONTO – Today, four unions representing teachers and education workers across Ontario’s publicly funded education system have filed court challenges against the Ontario government’s Bill 124, the Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act.
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