skip to content
Featured:
Member Resources
Labour Movement
AQ

All about EWS
Home / Social Justice / All about EWS

All about EWS

This page brings together content and links to ETFO equity resources. For member-only resources, please register and login at members.etfo.ca.

 
Anti-hate/anti-discrimination resource list Equity-related ETFO Policy & Position Statements External resources
ETFO is a union committed to social justice, equity and inclusion. Given the legacy and current prevalence of anti-Black racism in colonial systems, institutions and society that groups like Black Live Matters have brought to light, ETFO is committed to creating policies, professional learning and curriculum resources that protect and support the equality and rights of Black people. Public advocacy is also an important aspect of ETFO's work in this area.
 
At the October 2025 Executive meeting the following motion was passed:

16)                     That 2025 Annual Meeting motion (6-10 / 7-1), AMR 69, re that in recognition of the second International Decade for People of African Descent, ETFO's work on anti-Black racism include:
 
  • The celebration of Black excellence and joy.
  • A recognition of the additional impact of the intersectional identities of Black members within professional learning and training activities.
  • A study of how the participation of Black members is additionally impacted by intersectional identities and take action to address barriers.
  • Support to locals to create action plans to increase the representation of Black members within local leadership.
  • A commitment to expanding the Black narrative to include the diverse experiences of individuals.
  • Discover, monitor, and address the barriers related to the intersectional identity of Black members.
  • A new position starting September 2025 for an executive assistant who self-identifies as Black, to develop and implement the ETFO anti-Black racism strategy and portfolio.
  • Ensure the effectiveness of ETFO’s anti-Black racism strategy by reassessing, revising, and renewing the strategy on a regular basis,
 
Following the passing of this motion, ETFO provincial has engaged in several actions including hosting a townhall for Black delegates of the 2025 Annual Meeting and leading small group discussions at the October Rep Council.  There will be additional programs and initiatives that will occur this year to realize the components of the motion above.

ETFO Voice Magazine is the magazine of 84,000 elementary educators in Ontario. Our goal is to facilitate a conversation among our members and beyond that considers relevant issues such as educators’ daily work, interests, innovation in teaching practice, policy, resources, perspectives on education and collaboration with community partners.

ETFO’s podcast Elementary addresses important issues in education. You can follow Elementary on most podcast apps, or find it at etfo.ca. Follow the podcast for more episodes. Episodes focussed on equity issues include the following:

Joe Pitawanakwat on teaching and learning about Indigenous plants and their uses, Jun 11, 2025
Special Episode: Press Conference for the release of Promises Unfulfilled: Addressing the Special Education Crisis in Ontario, Mar 18, 2025
Anishnaabek language reclamation with Dr. Alan Corbiere, Nov 25, 2024
Dr. Alan Corbiere on the history and meaning of wampum from an Anishnaabek perspective, Oct 28, 2024
Black in School: An interview with Habiba Diallo, Sep 16, 2024
Carolyn King on the Moccasin Identifier Initiative, Jul 04, 2024
Black Boys Like Me: An interview with Matthew R. Morris, Jun 19, 2024
Countering anti-2SLGBTQ+ hate as an educator, Jun 03, 2024
An interview with Susan Swackhammer, former first vice-president of ETFO, Feb 09, 2024
Building inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ students and families, Jun 24, 2023
Environmentalism from grades 2 to 12, Apr 17, 2023   
Representation Matters: The positive effect of having Black educators in schools, Apr 03, 2023
Classroom Resource on Who Are The Inuit: A Conversation with Qauyisaq Etitiq, Mar 06, 2023
Black Excellence: A Panel from the Generation Black - You're Next! Symposium, Feb 06, 2023
Jennifer Holness on Blackness, beauty, and her documentary Subjects of Desire, Dec 02, 2022
Educating on Climate Change and Environmental Racism, Jun 09, 2022
Possibilities: Addressing Poverty in Elementary Schools, Mar 08, 2022
 

 

Equity programs are listed in the program catalogue at members.etfo.ca. Equity leadership programs are listed below:

  1. Annual Leadership Symposium for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Women Members

  2. Anti-Oppressive Framework Program

  3. Code Black: Leadership Program for Black Members

  4. Leadership Program for Black Women   

  5. Next Steps Leadership Program

Many resources can be found at etfofnmi.ca, and also in members.etfo.ca under classroom resources.
The FNMI section of etfo.ca features:
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit education resources
A list of Indigenous organizations
Resources from the Ministry of Education
Resources from the Government of Canada
 

Policy and legislation that supports equity work: 

Curriculum connections,
Ontario Policy Program Memoranda (PPMs),
Ontario Human Rights Commission information,
Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action,
Ontario College of Teacher advisories
ETFO Constitution,
ETFO Policy Statements, and
ETFO Objects and Priorities.
 
PRS Matters Bulletins related to Equity and Women's Services
Understanding the Human Rights Complaint Process
Managind Current Events and Sensitive Issues

 
ETFO’s commitment to multi-faceted equity issues, provides specific support for women’s participation and leadership in the union. The ETFO Constitution guarantees positions for women on the Executive (five of 14 positions), and that programs for women will be provided, with funding (six per cent of ETFO’s annual budget) allocated for this purpose.
ETFO’s Women’s Programs (WP) offer direct services to women members through courses, workshops, awards, and publications. Funding is also available to establish provincial and local partnerships with other organizations and to support groups that advance the status of women and women’s issues in society.
An important change to ETFO's women's program eligibility
Delegates to the 2025 ETFO Annual Meeting passed two resolutions expanding the audience for those eligible to participate in ETFO women’s programs. For the purpose of attendance at ETFO's Women’s Programs only, and in accordance with Article X, Section 4, of the ETFO Constitution, women now includes women; cis and trans; two-spirit; and all members of other identities with lived experience as women. Women’s Programs are also open to non-binary members of ETFO.
Over the course of the 2025-26 school year, members will notice changes to the self-identification section in the Events Registration System for ETFO Women’s Programs.