In case you missed it the Liberal Federal Government has put into place a cap on the number of international student visas they will allow. They are also going to control what parts of the country visa students are allowed to study in.
For more information go to: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/international-student-visas-1.7092512
Karen Littlewood , president of OSSTF/FEESO has spoken out about this cap and the impact it will have on post-secondary institutions and students. In addition OSSTF/FEESO has put out a statement in response.
The link to President, Karen Littlewood’s radio interview this morning with 900 CHML (Hamilton) on underfunding in the post-secondary sector (starts around 13:50 mark): https://twitter.com/AM900CHML/status/1749822661297930345
https://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/PSAT_UpdateGraphic-e1649104910681.png128300Tracy Cochranehttps://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/wlusa_logo_large-300x53.jpgTracy Cochrane2024-01-24 13:03:432024-01-24 13:03:44Federal Government Institutes Cap on International Students
Deficits and budget cuts are a systemic problem across the post-secondary sector across all of Ontario. We are all being forced to do more with less, or in our case less with less. The Ford government is doing everything it can to privatize not only our healthcare system but also education.
We can no longer sit back and think that Ford’s policies are someone else’s problem. While the next provincial election is a long way off this should not mean that we do not call out our local MPPs. This is a call to action; to stand against those are seeking to dismantle public education.
https://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Leaf_GOLD.jpg270270Tracy Cochranehttps://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/wlusa_logo_large-300x53.jpgTracy Cochrane2024-01-12 16:47:112024-01-12 16:47:12More or Less: Its All Being Done With Less. Or Is It?
https://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/claudio-schwarz-purzlbaum-l8ipde99z9c-unsplash-e1702658040119.jpg200300Tracy Cochranehttps://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/wlusa_logo_large-300x53.jpgTracy Cochrane2023-12-15 11:34:122023-12-15 11:34:12 Number of Ontario hospital emergency closures soars to new record: Health Coalition demands Ford government finally take action
https://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/sun-autumn-october-sheet-e1633121799701.jpg349349Tracy Cochranehttps://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/wlusa_logo_large-300x53.jpgTracy Cochrane2023-12-12 11:09:032023-12-12 11:11:04After years of work, Ontario faculty say major victory achieved on protecting public universities
https://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/uw-logo-e1628689055861.jpg300300Tracy Cochranehttps://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/wlusa_logo_large-300x53.jpgTracy Cochrane2023-11-29 13:30:202023-11-29 13:30:21The University of Waterloo is projecting a $15-million deficit this year. Here’s how it happened, and what can be done.
https://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/blue-ribbon-award-clipping-path-8752325.webp900598Tracy Cochranehttps://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/wlusa_logo_large-300x53.jpgTracy Cochrane2023-11-29 13:21:062023-11-29 13:21:06Blue-Ribbon report recommendations not enough for Ontario universities to achieve excellence
unlearn.® uses an approach that explores the mechanisms that can interrupt bias, stereotypes and discrimination by challenging the societal norms that marginalize others.
Workshops for all our members as we live in and work in a richly diverse community.
ETFO joins OSSTF/FEESO arbitration process for Bill 124 wage remedy
TORONTO, ON — The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) is proud to announce that 3,500 education workers represented by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) are joining with OSSTF/FEESO in their fight to reclaim wages unjustly lost under the Ford government’s disastrous and unconstitutional Bill 124.
“Today, we celebrate labour solidarity in the face of the Ford government’s continued attacks on our members and all workers who provide the vital public services that Ontarians rely on every single day,” said OSSTF/FEESO President Karen Littlewood. “Our solidarity is our strength, and I am encouraged to have ETFO’s education worker members join us as we stand up to Doug Ford and his government’s heavy-handed attempts to undermine public education in Ontario.”
Added ETFO President Karen Brown, “With the strength and solidarity of our members behind us, ETFO is prepared to work alongside OSSTF/FEESO to challenge Bill 124 during the binding arbitration process. Since its unconstitutional inception, ETFO has denounced Bill 124 and challenged the Ford government’s interference and overreach. We’re confident that by joining OSSTF/FEESO, ETFO members will benefit from a strong, united front that will result in a fair and just remedy.”
In September, OSSTF/FEESO’s Membership voted to approve a proposal guaranteeing that Members will receive a financial remedy for wages lost under Bill 124, which unfairly capped public sector wage increases to one per cent a year, causing severe staffing shortages and unnecessary disruptions to student learning.
Earlier this month, ETFO’s 3,500 education worker members ratified a four-year deal with the provincial government that included a similar agreement to ensure those members submit the Bill 124 wage remedy to binding arbitration.
The decision to bring ETFO members into the voluntary binding interest arbitration process, negotiated between OSSTF/FEESO and the Crown, will mean that the two unions will present a united front during the Bill 124 arbitration dates on January 15 and 16, 2024. Both groups will present evidence and arguments in support of a fair and just remedy for Members who had their wages unconstitutionally suppressed by the Ford government.
“It’s been nearly four years since the Ford government’s ill-fated decision to pass Bill 124, and the consequences of this devastating legislation have been felt by every education worker, student, and parent in Ontario,” concluded OSSTF/FEESO President Karen Littlewood. “Severe staffing shortages caused by Bill 124 have undermined student learning conditions and placed
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significant burdens on staff who work in public education. The ripple effects of this bill extend beyond the classroom, affecting all our public services, our economy, and most importantly students in Ontario. It’s well past time to right this grievous wrong and restore justice to our dedicated members.”
Noted ETFO President Karen Brown, “Earlier this year, instead of ending its attack on workers and moving to remedy, the Ford government doubled down on violating workers’ rights by moving forward with an appeal. This move, done in the midst of negotiations with ETFO and other education unions, undermined collective bargaining and wasted taxpayers’ money. Not another public dollar should be spent on their ill-advised attempt to violate workers’ rights. The premier and education minister must refrain from overreach, support all education workers and public education, and focus on reaching fair agreements in good faith.”
OSSTF/FEESO, founded in 1919, has over 60,000 members across Ontario. They include public high school teachers, occasional teachers, educational assistants, continuing education teachers and instructors, early childhood educators, psychologists, secretaries, speech-language pathologists, social workers, plant support personnel, university support staff, and many others in education.
ETFO represents approximately 83,000 members, including public elementary teachers, occasional teachers, designated early childhood educators, education support personnel, and professional support personnel. Details about ETFO collective bargaining and bargaining dates are available at etfocb.ca.
https://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Picture1-e1699654778699.png125300Tracy Cochranehttps://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/wlusa_logo_large-300x53.jpgTracy Cochrane2023-11-10 17:19:502023-11-10 17:20:20ETFO joins OSSTF/FEESO arbitration process for Bill 124 wage remedy
https://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Liberal-Logo-e1632275131200.png349349Tracy Cochranehttps://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/wlusa_logo_large-300x53.jpgTracy Cochrane2023-11-10 16:55:182023-11-10 16:56:49Ontario Liberal Leadership Event – Leading the Liberal Way Co-hosted by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation(OSSTF/FEESO)
Egale is Canada’s leading organization for 2SLGBTQI people and issues. Egale improves and saves lives through research, education, awareness, and by advocating for human rights and equality in Canada and around the world. Their work helps create societies and systems that reflect the universal truth that all persons are equal, and none will be othered.
Egale will facilitate a free virtual workshop for OSSTF/FEESO Members. The workshop will be a fusion of their Introduction to 2SLGBTQI Inclusion: Building Inclusive Schools and Affirming Adults webinars.