ETFO Members Can Have a Significant Impact on Election Outcome

Much is at stake in the October 6 provincial election.  The party that wins will determine the viability of the new full-day kindergarten program, the future of smaller elementary class size, and the overall quality of education in our schools.  Depending on which party is elected, as part of the public sector, ETFO members' salary and benefits could also become a target of government retrenchment.

Making Education a Priority

Your Federation is working hard to make  the provincial parties, candidates, and the voting public aware of our key issues.  Last fall, ETFO released Building Better Schools, an election platform that outlines five key building blocks for improving elementary education.  The was broadly distributed and has formed the basis of discussions at Queen's Park and at meeting's of ETFO local presidents with their MPPs.  Locals are using a brochure based on the platform to promote our issues at all-candidates' meetings.  If you haven't had a chance to read it, please check the platform on the ETFO website.

Having an Impact

Recent polls indicate that the election is developing into a three-way race among the Liberals, Progressive Conservatives, and New Democrats.  The final outcome could be determined by slim margins in a handful of ridings.  Because of the tight races, our more than 76,000 members can have a real impact on the outcome.  You can have  an impact by voting; you can have an even greater impact by volunteering some of your time to an election campaign - whether it's just for a few hours or longer.  Making an important decision such as this requires learning as much as we can about the various parties' platforms and track records.

As you consider which candidate to endorse, here is a brief synopsis of the track records for the NDP, PC and Liberal Parties:

NDP - 1990 - 1995  Premier:  Bob Rae

• Extended pregnancy and parental leave
• Introduced teacher pension reform
• Introduced major labour reforms
• Appointed Royal Commission on Learning
• Mandated provision of junior kindergarten
• Expanded pay equity
• Mandated employment equity
• Invoked 3-year salary cut through unpaid days: Social Contract

PC - 1995 - 2003  Premier: Mike Harris/Ernie Eves

• Introduced EQAO testing
• Introduced the College of Teachers
• Introduced mandatory teacher recertification
• Introduced a Teacher qualifying test
• School board amalgamation
• Cut education funding significantly
• Cancelled mandatory JK
• Gave private school tuition tax credits
• New curriculum without in-service, resources
• Standardized report card
• Passed Bill 160 which   

                           *removed Principals/VPs from the federations
                           *removed right to negotiate class size
                           *cancelled five PA days
                           *removed the ability of school boards to raise taxes

• Introduced zero tolerance policy for student discipline
• Mandated extra-curricular activities for secondary teachers
• Prescribed teachers' duties to undermine work-to rule activities

Liberals 2003 - 2011

• Cancelled teacher recertification
• Cancelled teacher qualifying test
• Reformed College of Teachers
• Introduced New Teacher Induction Program
• Cancelled private school tuition tax credit
• Increased education funding
• Introduced primary class size cap
• Introduced Early Learning Program / Full Day Kindergarten
• Restored two of the five PA days cut by Tories
• Fully funded elementary preparation time
• Failed to reach successful provincial framework for ETFO negotiations in fall 2008
• Launched School Information Finder
• Shelved gender identity and sexual health sections of revised curriculum document
• Weakened policy related to Early Learning extended day programs

We urge everyone to vote - Because Education Matters!