EVENTS

SHARING CATHOLIC TEACHERS’ PERSPECTIVES

In addition to the wide range of meetings, work groups, and committees attended by OECTA political leaders and staff, the Association regularly contributes written submissions when invited by the government or other organizations. The past few months have presented two unique opportunities to share Catholic teachers’ perspectives on important issues.

Right to Read Inquiry In October, the Ontario Human Rights Commission announced a public inquiry into potential human rights issues that affect students with reading disabilities in Ontario’s publicly funded education system. The inquiry, which is ongoing, includes written submissions, formal assessments of practices in a selection of school boards, an online survey, and town hall meetings.

OECTA’s submission acknowledged the success of Ontario’s publicly funded education system in terms of achievement and equity, but called for significant, sustained investments to ensure timely access for all students to the resources and supports they need.

Areas of focus included: • Child poverty • Early childhood education and care • Full-day Kindergarten • Screening, identification, and intervention • Effective accommodation and supports • Class size and composition • Professional development

Poverty Reduction Strategy Consultation The sad reality is that one in five children in Ontario, and one in seven families with children, live in poverty. These families are forced to make difficult decisions about how or whether to access necessities like housing, child care, transportation, and food. Research shows that as a result, children from lowincome families often start school behind their peers.

The previous government enacted Ontario’s first official Poverty Reduction Strategy in 2008. After an extensive consultation process in 2013, a new five-year strategy was introduced in 2014. The Ford government now has the responsibility of developing the next phase.

The Association’s submission to the consultation calls on the government to use the COVID-19 emergency as an opportunity to fundamentally rethink their approach to the economy and social policy. The previous government made progress in reducing poverty, but there was much more that needed to be done. Instead, the Ford government spent most of their first two years in office implementing drastic cuts. They have since put in place some temporary measures, but we have urged them to strengthen these programs and make them permanent features of Ontario’s policy framework.

Our submission focused on the following areas: • Early childhood education and care • Quality publicly funded education • Access to post-secondary education • Decent work and working conditions • Labour rights • Minimum wages • Basic income pilot • Social assistance

Both submissions can be found in the Where We Stand section at catholicteachers.ca.

VIRTUAL AGM TO BE HELD MAY 16

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is a cornerstone of our union democracy, and a highlight of the year for Catholic teachers and our Association. Given the ongoing COVID-19 emergency and public health restrictions on large gatherings, this year the Association took the difficult decision to cancel an in-person AGM. Although this news was disappointing, the health and well-being not only of our members, guests, and staff, but also their families, their students, school staff, and other members of the community, is paramount.

Instead, a virtual AGM will be held Saturday, May 16. Instructions for accessing the meeting and voting information will be emailed to each registered delegate prior to the meeting. Given the extraordinary circumstances, the Provincial Executive has approved unanimously a by-law amendment to allow resolutions to the 2020 AGM to be postponed until next year _ the amendment must now be ratified by a twothirds majority of AGM delegates. An updated agenda and meeting materials are available in the Members’ Area at catholicteachers.ca. If you have questions, please contact your local OECTA unit office.

Members who wish to observe the virtual AGM will be able to access portions of the meeting via livestream, in the Members’ Area of catholicteachers.ca.