ETFO Welcomes Laurel Broten as Education Minister
Minister's experience in childcare, women's issues, poverty will serve new portfolio well
October 20, 2011
TORONTO - The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) today welcomed the announcement that Laurel Broten will be Ontario's new Minister of Education and Women's Issues, saying that she brings valuable experience to the expanded portfolio.
"On behalf of our members, I want to congratulate the new minister who brings important experience in childcare, poverty, and women’s issues to her new portfolio," said ETFO President Sam Hammond.
"Given the recent transfer of child care to the Ministry of Education, Minister Broten's previous experience as Minister of Children and Youth Services will be an important attribute in addressing the important issues facing full-day kindergarten and child care," added Hammond.
Broten served as Minister Responsible for Women's Issues and she was also responsible for the government's Poverty Reduction Strategy.
"In the past eight years, the Liberal government has made a significant investment in public education," said Hammond. "We look forward to working with Minister Broten to continue supporting initiatives such as full-day kindergarten, reduction of class size, more specialist teachers, and increased support for teacher professional learning."
The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents 76,000 elementary public school teachers and education professionals across the province and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.