Tag: Canada
International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) 2025 – CTF/FCE and CSQ denounce Canada’s absence
Montreal and Ottawa, March 21, 2025 – On the eve of the International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) 2025, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) and the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) denounce the decision of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) not to send a Canadian delegation.
CTF/FCE president Heidi Yetman and CSQ president Éric Gingras point out that Canada is currently experiencing an unprecedented teacher retention and recruitment crisis and that no province or territory has been spared.
“Canadians recognize the importance of public education as the foundation of a healthy and prosperous society. Education is the key to fighting disinformation and protecting democracy. We think the absence of a Canadian delegation at the ISTP will not go unnoticed and will certainly provoke negative reactions,” said Heidi Yetman.
The main causes of this crisis include a lack of ministerial support, unsustainable working conditions, and an increase in violence and aggression in the workplace.
“One might think that responsibility for education rests solely with the provinces and territories, but there’s an undeniable link between a healthy democracy and the quality of public education. That’s why we’re deeply concerned about the erosion of both if Canada is conspicuously absent from key international gatherings such as the Summit,” said CSQ president Éric Gingras.
A necessary forum
The ISTP, co-organized by Education International (EI) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), is the only forum that brings together ministers of education and spokespersons for national education unions from “top performing” countries according to PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment). All organizations take advantage of the ISTP to address the priorities of the teaching profession and share promising practices.
Not surprisingly, the United States will not participate in the ISTP 2025 either.
“Since the Trump administration came to power, it has become clear that we must break free from our dependence on the United States. Choosing to participate in discussions on stage and in international forums, even as the United States takes pride in not doing so, is a clear step in this direction and allows us to distance ourselves from an increasingly aggressive partner that tends to isolate itself,” added the CTF/FCE president.
Lastly, Eric Gingras noted that Canada will host the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta in June 2025: “It’s clear to us that education needs to be part of the discussion. This will be an opportunity for the Canadian government to demonstrate its leadership and its ability to engage in constructive dialogue, work with the other G7 countries, and propose innovative solutions to serve the interests of all peoples,” concluded the CSQ president.
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About the CTF/FCE
Founded in 1920, the CTF/FCE is a national alliance of provincial and territorial teachers’ organizations that represent over 370,000 teachers and education workers across Canada. The CTF/FCE is also an affiliate of Education International, which represents more than 32-million educators.
About the CSQ
The CSQ represents more than 225,000 members, including some 125,000 education employees. The CSQ has 11 federations that unite some 240 affiliated unions and it is affiliated with the AREQ, le mouvement des personnes retraitées CSQ. The CSQ is also active in health and social services, educational childcare services, as well as municipal, recreational, cultural, community and communications services.
Media Contacts
Nika Quintao
Director of Public Affairs
Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE)
613 688-4319
nquintao@ctf-fce-ca
Maude Messier
Press Officer
Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ)
514 213-0770
[email protected]
Each and every day, students, teachers, and education workers throughout our country head to class without much regard for who sits in the Prime Minister’s office, but the occupant certainly makes a difference in their lives.
This is why the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) is committed to working with governments of all political stripes to strengthen public education. This non-partisan position is strongest when governments share a commitment to education, which has been our experience with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Following his decision to step down, the CTF/FCE sincerely thanks the Prime Minister for his leadership, including his steadfast commitment to ensuring that the federal government contributed to quality inclusive public education for all, at home and abroad.
During the COVID-19 pandemic when most school buildings were forced to close and education was upended, Prime Minister Trudeau showed a determination to problem solve. While respecting provincial/territorial responsibility for education, he helped many schools safely re-open and stay open.
More recently, the Prime Minister, along with various key Ministers, again demonstrated real leadership by funding, and developing policy for, a much-needed national school food program; for too long, Canada has been the only G7 country without one. This is life-changing for many young people and their families, and the CTF/FCE applauds the government’s initiative. We will continue to advocate for the full implementation of this program in all provinces and territories.
Long before the pandemic and after, the Prime Minister has been very generous with his time for the CTF/FCE, engaging in dialogue on the issues that matter most to the over 370,000 teachers and educators we represent. Unlike other federal leaders, Justin Trudeau consistently made time to meet with the CTF/FCE, and members across the country, to listen to our concerns on many issues important to Canadians.
The CTF/FCE looks forward to continuing our collaboration with the Prime Minister and we wish him and his family the very best. We hope we can count on continued dialogue and partnership with his successor, the next Prime Minister of Canada, and the federal government because education is the foundation of healthy communities and thriving democracies. In fact, it is the bedrock of Canada’s future.
Thank you, Prime Minister. You have made a very positive difference.
Heidi Yetman, CTF/FCE President
Cassandra Hallett, CTF/FCE Executive Director
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About the CTF/FCE
Founded in 1920, the CTF/FCE is a national alliance of provincial and territorial teachers’ organizations that represent over 365,000 teachers and education workers across Canada. The CTF/FCE is also an affiliate of Education International, which represents more than 32-million educators.
Media Contact
Nika Quintao, Director of Public Affairs
Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE)
[email protected]
Mobile: 613-688-4319
In Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation, the Government of Canada recognized affordability issues facing Canadians and sought measures to address them.
This budget is ambitious; many progressive organizations recognize the significant changes it aims to bring to the lives of Canadians. By decreasing the exemption on capital gains over $250,000 and asking the wealthiest Canadians to pay more, the federal government is slowly turning the dial on making social programming accessible for those who need it most.
In February 2024, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) met with the Minister of Finance to outline three key priorities that we felt would make life more affordable for families living in Canada from the perspective of Canadian teachers.
The CTF/FCE is thrilled to say that those three asks, shared with the Government of Canada, have been included in Budget 2024: the introduction of a National School Food Program, increased mental health supports for young Canadians, and loan forgiveness for teachers and early childhood educators living and working in rural and remote communities.
School Food
Announced earlier this year, the federal government has committed money to a National School Food Program. This will be significant in changing the lives of children and families in Canada. The CTF/FCE will continue to monitor the developments of this exciting initiative. The federal government has already initiated communications with the CTF/FCE to discuss next steps.
Budget 2024 announces the creation of a National School Food Program, which will provide $1 billion over five years to Employment and Social Development Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and Indigenous Services Canada, starting in 2024-25, to work with provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners to expand access to school food programs. This includes investments for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities as well as Self-Governing and Modern Treaty Partners, many of whom have some of the highest rates of food insecurity in Canada.
(Page 111)
Loan Forgiveness
The federal government has stated that it intends to expand the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program to include both teachers and early childhood educators who work in a rural or remote area. This initiative will mean more young adults entering the profession will be willing and able to relocate to and stay in remote and rural communities. (A knock-on effect will be making Canada less focused on major urban areas, and – in turn – supporting development in small and medium sized communities across the country). We commend the federal government for listening to a direct CTF/FCE ask in recent consultations on addressing the labour shortage in rural and remote communities while also helping to alleviate, in some small way, the retention and recruitment crisis facing public education.
While we wait for more details on the eligibility, for reference, nurses qualify for $30,000 in federal student loan forgiveness when they work in a rural or remote community. As per the federal government’s definition, “under-served rural or remote community is one located outside of: metropolitan areas, areas with an urban core population of 50,000 or more, and provincial capitals”. It is the CTF/FCE’s understanding that the federal government is currently working to expand the definition of a rural/remote community to those communities under 30,000 people in population.
See more details about the current programming offered to doctors and nurses here: Canada student loan forgiveness for family doctors and nurses.
Budget 2024 announces the government’s intent to introduce amendments to the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act and the Canada Student Loans Act to permanently expand the reach of the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program to more health care and social services professionals working in rural and remote communities:
Dentists; Dental hygienists; Pharmacists; Midwives; Teachers; Social workers; Personal support workers; Physiotherapists; and, Psychologists.
(Page 123)
Mental Health Supports
The federal government has committed to setting up a Youth Mental Health Fund to help community health organizations provide greater access for younger Canadians and young adults to mental health resources. While the funding commitment is low, it is a good starting point. The CTF/FCE will monitor this commitment closely to see how this directly impacts students, teachers, and their families.
Budget 2024 proposes to provide $500 million over five years, starting in 2024-25, for the creation of a new Youth Mental Health Fund which will help younger Canadians access the mental health care they need.
(Page 127)
Overall, this budget is the first budget in a long-time that the CTF/FCE can confidently say delivered on our asks. It is a budget that will seek to make an improvement in the lives of Canadian teachers and their families. While there is so much work to be done on the federal and provincial/territorial level, this is a big step in the right direction.
The CTF/FCE recognizes that other organizations are doing great work, and we’d like to highlight other progressive organizations’ reaction to the 2024 federal budget:
About the CTF/FCE
Founded in 1920, the CTF/FCE is a national alliance of provincial and territorial teachers’ organizations that represent over 365,000 teachers and education workers across Canada. The CTF/FCE is also an affiliate of Education International, which represents more than 32-million educators.
Media contact
Nika Quintao, Director of Public Affairs
Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE)
Contact
Mobile: 613-606-7809
Ottawa, Monday, April 1, 2024 – The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) expressed their appreciation to the federal government for taking a significant step towards ensuring all Canadian children have access to healthy and nutritious meals while at school. The government’s announcement of a significant investment to support a Universal School Food Program is a monumental step toward addressing the critical issue of food insecurity in our nation and to helping all children thrive in school. The federal government will invest $1 billion, to be distributed by provinces and territories over a period of 5 years, with $200 million being allocated each year.
The CTF/FCE has been advocating for this program for over a decade, collaborating in recent years with organizations such as the Breakfast Clubs of Canada and the Coalition for Healthy School Food to make it a reality. We firmly believe that such initiatives are essential in fostering equitable access to education and promoting the well-being of Canadian families. “We are thrilled that the Government has taken this momentous step for Canada and joined the rest of the G7, and most other countries in the world, in recognizing the critical importance of school food,” said Debbie Field, Coordinator of the Coalition for Healthy School Food.
The President of the CTF/FCE, Heidi Yetman, emphasized the importance of this investment, stating that it is not just a matter of policy but a moral imperative. “With more families struggling to afford basic necessities, including food, the implementation of a Universal School Food Program is necessary to ensure that students have access to nutritious meals. This program will also contribute greatly to creating more conducive learning environments and supporting students’ overall success”.
The CTF/FCE thanks the federal government, leaders in the school food sector, its members and partners, and all Canadians who worked together to ensure that every child in Canada has access to nutritious food, empowering them to reach their full potential.
About the CTF/FCE
Founded in 1920, the CTF/FCE is a national alliance of provincial and territorial teachers’ organizations that represent over 365,000 teachers and education workers across Canada. The CTF/FCE is also an affiliate of Education International, which represents more than 32-million educators.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Nika Quintao, Director of Public Affairs
Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE)
Contact
Mobile: 613-606-7809
Ottawa, March 12, 2024 – Canada is among the world’s top 10 wealthiest countries; and yet, millions of students are going to school hungry and under nourished. This needs to change.
Regardless of geography or family income, every child deserves access to healthy and nutritious meals at school.
As record number of families are grappling with the skyrocketing cost of living, it is imperative that the federal government take action to make life more affordable: this includes ensuring students in our public education system are well-fed. The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) calls on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland to ensure that a Pan-Canadian School Food Program is included in Budget 2024.
Join our call to ensure all students in Canada have access to nutritious food.
“When students are not fed, classrooms suffer. A Pan-Canadian School Food Program would alleviate food insecurity and contribute to a healthier school environment for all.”
Heidi Yetman, President, CTF/FCE
Email your Member of Parliament, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland, urging them to ensure that a Pan-Canadian School Food Program is included in Budget 2024.
About the CTF/FCE
Founded in 1920, the CTF/FCE is a national alliance of provincial and territorial teachers’ organizations that represent over 365,000 teachers and education workers across Canada. The CTF/FCE is also an affiliate of Education International, which represents more than 32-million educators.
Media contact
Nika Quintao, Director of Public Affairs
Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE)
Contact
Mobile: 613-606-7809
Ottawa, November 21, 2023 – The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) Board of Directors is set to convene in Ottawa on November 21 and 22, urgently tackling the nationwide challenge looming over public education: the teacher retention and recruitment crisis. This critical meeting is poised to address the need for immediate, collective actions to combat the challenges faced by education personnel across the nation.
Poor working conditions lie at the heart of the crisis. Untenable classroom sizes and complexity have only increased. Students with special needs lack adequate support and resources. Psychological and physical violence is statistically on the rise. Other complex factors have contributed to this crisis, including fluctuations in student populations, and declining enrollment in education faculties. Regrettably, 100% of the CTF/FCE’s Member and Associate Organizations have indicated that unqualified teachers are holding positions in schools from coast to coast to coast.
Heidi Yetman, President of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, underscores the gravity of the situation: “There is no shortage of teachers, but rather a shortage of decent working conditions. Canada has reached a critical juncture, and it is imperative that provincial and territorial governments invest in public education. Collaboration with union counterparts is crucial in finding solutions. Only through working together can we ensure that every child has a qualified teacher in their classroom. Quality publicly funded education is indispensable for a healthy and prosperous society.”
About the CTF/FCE
Founded in 1920, the CTF/FCE is a national alliance of provincial and territorial teachers’ organizations that represent over 365,000 teachers and education workers across Canada. The CTF/FCE is also an affiliate of Education International, which represents more than 32-million educators.
Media contact
Nika Quintao, Director of Public Affairs
Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE)
Contact
Mobile: 613-606-7809
