Re: Institute for Canadian Values Ad - "Please don't confuse me"

About ETFO
- Annual Meeting 2012 Documents
- Annual Meeting 2011 Updates
- Equity Officer's Report
- Objects and Priorities
- Provincial Executive
- Executive Update
- Governance
- ETFO Locals
- Awards & Scholarships
- History
- How the Union Works
- Accessible Customer Service Plan
- Job Postings
- Provincial Office
- Standing Committees
- Teacher Organizations
- Reference Book
- New Building Construction
Media Room
- Media Releases
- Letters to the Editor
- Latest Media Coverage
Early Learning Program
- Feedback Form
- Resources
- New Resource - Thinking it Through
- New Pamphlet - Playing is Learning
- A Day in the Life of Early Learning Educators
- Early Learning Central Website
- DECE Website: yourECEunion.ca
- Video - Leaders Discuss Early Learning
- Bill 242
- FAQ
- Kindergarten Campaign
Being a Member
- New Members
- Get Involved
- Member Information
- Member Services
- Membership Categories
- Rights & Responsibilities
- Your Union Dues
- World Teachers' Day 2011
- CTF Survey
Advice For Members
- Advisories to Members
- PRS Matters Bulletins
- Professional Relations Services Webcasts
- Annual Learning Plan
- Depression
- A Member's Guide to The WSIB
- A Member's Guide to Long Term Disability
- Associate Teaching
- QECO Evaluations
- Suspected Child Abuse
- The School Effectiveness Framework
- Workplace Accommodations
- Electronic Communications
Resources
- For Teachers
- For Occasional Teachers
- For Parents
- New Resources
- Professional Resource Catalogue
- Collaborative Coaching Handbook
- Educating for Global Citizenship
- Research for Teachers
- Body Image Project
- Teachers’ Gateway to Special Education
- Environmental Inquiry Resource
- Arts Education for the Development of the Whole Child
Publications
- Voice Magazine
- @ETFO/FEEO eNewsletter
- Stewards' Mailings
- Queen's Park Highlights
- Briefs to Government Agencies
- Position Papers
- OTF Publications
- New Publications
- Building Better Schools
Multimedia
- President's Address
- Photo Gallery
- ETFO Multimedia Podcast
- Research for Teachers Podcast
- Webcasts
Professional Learning
- Catalogue of Programs
- Upcoming Workshops
- Upcoming Conferences
- ETFO AQ Courses
- ETFO Credit Courses
- Presenters on the Road
- Summer Academy
- Classroom Management for the OT
- Call for Writers and Presenters
- ETFO Book Clubs
- Non-ETFO Professional Learning
- Teaching Green Workshop
Advocacy & Action
- May 17 - International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
- Alternatives to the Budget: Talk It Up!
- Letter of Support to BCTF
- CUSO Placements for September 2012
- Nutrition for School Learning
- Political Action
- Shannen's Dream
- Social Justice and Equity
- Woman Abuse Affects Our Children
- Women's Issues
- World Issues
Bargaining & Agreements
- Bargaining News - Control Your Future Website
- Send Your MPP a Message
- Bargaining Goals
- Collective Bargaining Contacts
- Comparing Agreements
- Enforcement
Issues in Education
- Merit Pay
- EQAO Testing
- Best Start Initiatives
- Body Image
- Class Size
- Early Adolescence
- Education Funding
- Extra-Curricular Activities
- Fundraising
- Privatization of Public Education
- Safe Schools
- School Councils
- Teacher Accountability
- Teacher Professional Development
ETFO Team Sites
- Network Notices
- Acceptable Use Policy
Related ETFO Websites
- Control Your Future - Collective Bargaining 2012
- The Heart and Art of Teaching and Learning
- Early Learning Central
- Innoteach Learning Objects
- Annual Meeting 2011 Updates
- ETFO-AQ: AQs that work for you
- ETFO Credit Courses
- ETFO Occasional Teachers
- The Ultimate Block Party
- Spirit Horse Tour 2010
- One profession. One union. ETFO site for DECEs
- Teacher Working Conditions: They Matter!
Secure Services
shopETFO

Advanced Search

Home > Media Room > Letters to the Editor > Re: Institute for Canadian Values Ad - "Please don't confuse me"

The Toronto Sun - Thursday October 6, 2011

Re: Institute for Canadian Values Ad - "Please don't confuse me"

The ad published by the Toronto Sun that objects to school discussions of human sexuality is misleading. As well, the sentiments expressed by the Institute for Canadian Values are disturbing and unacceptable in their inferences that lesbian, gay, transsexual, transgendered, and two spirited people are not valued members of our society.

The ad message flies in the face of many initiatives such as the province's Safe Schools Act and the Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy that are designed to ensure that all students are safe at school. Our elementary teachers know from experience that some young children use homophobic slurs as a way to put down other children. Obviously this is not the kind of climate and behaviour that we want to have in our schools.

The 'curriculum' that the Institute wrongly states is forced on teachers, is in fact a teachers' resource guide from the Toronto District School Board on how to address issues of homophobia and heterosexism in classrooms. The National Post apologized for its part in running a misleading and damaging advertisement. When can we expect a similar apology from the Sun?

Sam Hammond
President
Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario

Email This Page!