PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

It has been quite the ride. Unfortunately, despite months of negotiations and political action, the Ford government remains unwilling to see public education and the future of our province as anything other than a cell on a spreadsheet. Like you, we are growing impatient with the government’s slash and burn approach to public spending, but we are adamant that we will not back down; we will not settle for the Ford government’s devastating cuts.

As teachers, we know more than anyone that the strong, viable future of our province depends on high-quality publicly funded education for all of Ontario’s students. Despite the attempt by some to classify our interests as merely about wages, we know that the bright future of Ontario depends on our activism – just as it has in the past, and will surely again in the future.

As part of our strategic, ongoing effort to protect Ontario’s students and curtail the Ford government’s cuts to education, the Association held its first province-wide withdrawal of service since the Harris era on January 21. At the time of writing, the Association just completed its second successful full withdrawal of services on February 4, one day following our return to the bargaining table.

I am incredibly grateful for the collective support of our members throughout the many ebbs and flows of this round of bargaining. A number of you were on the streets with us in 1997- 98, while others remember the disruption felt as students in a system devastated by cuts. Together, we are united by a range of experiences that create the fabric through which we stand up for the best interests of teachers, students, and our communities.

I am proud of our decorum and the manner in which we continue to approach these trying times. Our picket lines have been spirited, informative, and an opportunity to not only illustrate our solidarity but to spread truth. As teachers, we cultivate resilience each and every day in our classrooms. It is this collective resilience that will continue to carry us through political adversity. I ask that you keep standing strong and proud with your fellow brothers and sisters because we are making history.

It took years to rebuild Ontario’s education system into the remarkable, world-class system that it is, and I know that together we will do whatever it takes to protect it.

Alongside our political activism and provincial bargaining, we are gearing up for the excitement of our 76 th Annual General Meeting. Last year’s AGM was a celebratory one. Through the photo reels and storytelling, our celebrations served as an important reminder of who we are, where we’ve come from, and the adversity we have faced throughout the decades.

May you continue to have confidence in our good work, and what we can achieve when Catholic teachers come together to stand up for the rights of our fellow members and the students that we teach.

God bless, Michelle Despault Editor

Adam Lemieux Mark Tagliaferri Associate Editors

Cynthia Bifolchi Contributing Writer

Fernanda Monteiro Production

Anna Anezyris Advertising

EDITORIAL BOARD

Liz Stuart President

Barb Dobrowolski First Vice-President

David Church General Secretary

Mary Lachapelle Deputy General Secretary

Carley Desjardins Communications Specialist/ Writer

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