Ontario Teachers' Federation

The Ontario Teachers' Federation (OTF; French: Fédération des enseignantes et des enseignants de l’Ontario, FEO) is the professional body representing over 160,000 teachers in Ontario's publicly funded schools.[1] It operates the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTTP), which in 2021, was Canada's largest single-profession pension plan, with around $200 billion in managed assets.[2] OTF was established by the Teaching Profession Act of 1944. The four Ontario teacher federations are OTF affiliates: 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). All teachers in Ontario's publicly funded schools belong to one of the affiliates and to OTF.

Ontario Teachers' Federation
AbbreviationOTF
Formation1944 in Ontario, Canada
TypeTrade union, pension fund
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario
Secretary General
Scott Perkin
President
Nathan Core
SubsidiariesOntario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTTP)
WebsiteOTF/FEO Website

History

OTF was established by the Teaching Profession Act of 1944.

In 1997, the organization saw thousands of teachers and supporters on the front lawn of the Ontario Legislature in Toronto for a strike.[3] The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan lost $19 billion in 2008.[4] Between 2008 and 2009, net assets fell to $87.4 billion from $108.5 billion.[4] In May 2016, CBC reported that the Ontario government since 2000 had given "$80.5 million to teachers' unions and the Ontario Teachers' Federation," after Ontario's auditor general performed an investigation.[5] In 2018, there were five teachers' unions that comprised the Ontario Teachers' Federation (OTF),[6] at which point it was described as a union representing around 160,000 public school teachers.[1] In 2020, it invested in the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. In December 2020, it invested in Società Gasdotti Italia S.P.A., acquiring a controlling stake. In 2021, the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan increased its stake in the Scotia Gas Networks (SGN). At the time, the OTPP was Canada's largest single-profession pension plan, with around $200 billion in assets it managed.[2] In January 2022, the OTF came to an agreement with education minister Stephen Leccee to allow retired teachers to be re-employed for 95 days instead of 50, to help deal with returning to school.[7]

Presidents

In 1997, Eileen Lennon was serving as Ontario Teachers' Federation president.[3] Joe Lamoureux was president in 2009,[4] and in 2017, Chris Fowley was the new president of the Ontario Teachers' Federation.[8] Diane Dewing was president in 2018,[1] and in early 2021, Parker Robinson was president.[9][10]

Overview

OTF is a member of the Canadian Teachers' Federation and Education International.

OTF's mandate is to advocate for teachers, the teaching profession, and publicly funded education. It represents the interests of all teachers who are pension plan members - active and retired - as the Partner with the Ontario Government in sponsoring the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP). Moreover, as the official liaison between teachers and the Minister of Education, OTF provides advice and input to both the Minister and the Ministry about policy decisions related to matters such as curriculum, assessment, instructional technology, special education, among others. It amplifies teachers' voices with political parties, parents, and the public.

OTF offers a variety of services and supports for teachers. It supports learning and networking among the Subject and Division Associations through the OTF Curriculum Forum. OTF provides professional learning opportunities and online teaching resources for its members in areas such as financial literacy, safe and inclusive schools, special education, and working with parents, to name a few. OTF also provides supports for teacher candidates and beginning teachers.

OTF works with allies in the labour movement, partners in education, and like-minded social justice groups. OTF also supports numerous charitable organizations and groups dedicated to social justice and equity such as Frontier College, Indspire, Summer Literacy Camps, and CIVIX. As well, OTF provides financial assistance to underserved schools through its international assistance program.

See also

References
  1. "Promised PC spending cuts loom large for Ontario educators at Toronto conference", CBC, November 11, 2018, retrieved November 4, 2022
  2. Woodside, John (August 5, 2021), "Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan bets big on U.K. gas network", National Observer, retrieved November 4, 2022
  3. "Why Ontario teachers went on a province-wide strike in 1997", CBC, February 21, 2021, retrieved November 4, 2022
  4. Daw, James (April 3, 2009), "Teachers' pension plan loses $19 billion in 2008", The Toronto Star, retrieved November 4, 2022
  5. "Ontario government gave $22M to teachers' unions since 2000 with 'no strings attached': audit", CBC, May 18, 2016, retrieved November 4, 2022
  6. Bronski, Carl (October 10, 2018), "The unions' suppression of the 1995-97 anti-Harris movement: Part 3—The 1997 Ontario teachers' strike", World Socialist Web Site, retrieved November 4, 2022
  7. McKenzie-Sutter, Holly (January 10, 2022), "Ontario allowing retired teachers to work more days amid Omicron workforce pressures", CP24, retrieved November 4, 2022
  8. Rushowy, Kristin (September 7, 2017), "Queen's Park Report card, curriculum changes on the way in Ontario", The Toronto Star, retrieved November 4, 2022
  9. Ng, Jessica (May 11, 2021), "Ontario teacher candidates say they've been left behind by new mandatory math test", CBC, retrieved November 4, 2022
  10. Dubinski, Kate (March 12, 2021), "Ontario teachers call for end to standardized tests, at least during pandemic", CBC, retrieved November 4, 2022
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