Toronto - November 5, 2020 — Today’s budget shows once again that the Ford government is not committed to fully investing in publicly-funded education to keep students, staff and communities safe. Finance Minister Rod Phillips’ refusal to unlock the full allotment of the first phase of $700 million in federal government funding for schools leaves students, parents and school staff vulnerable to the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) strongly urges the Ford government to utilize fully the first allotment of the federal funds, and to invest the provincial funds necessary to keep schools safe.

“While Premier Ford preaches that his government is doing everything to safeguard students, parents and staff in our schools, today’s budget announcement shows otherwise,” said OSSTF/FEESO President Harvey Bischof.

“We need Premier Ford and his government to make these investments, which would allow education workers and teachers to do their best to deliver the curriculum and supports in the most effective ways, and to keep our schools safe. Failing to do so shows his lack of commitment to the students, parents and staff in Ontario’s publicly-funded schools,” continued Bischof.

“In addition, we see a continued lack of attention paid to providing the funding and supports that are needed in the post-secondary sector in the province. In short, the Ford government continues to fail the students, parents, education workers and teachers at all levels of education,” concluded Bischof.

With the pandemic continuing to concern people living in Ontario, particularly as infection rates are present in schools, Premier Ford needs to listen to students, parents and staff and implement the safety measures required to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This pandemic requires progressive action and investment in publicly-funded education on the part of the Ford government. Instead, this government continues to ignore the needs of students, parents and staff.

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.