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@ETFO/FEEO Vol. 6 No.13
MARCH 29, 2012
Hammond: Austerity Budget Punishes Ontarians for a Deficit They Didn't Create
ETFO President Sam Hammond
In a recent media release, ETFO President Sam Hammond strongly criticized the austerity budget tabled by the McGuinty government on March 27th.

"Whether you're working or not, whether you're unionized or not, ordinary Ontarians are being asked to take a hit that many economists say is not necessary," said Hammond. 

"The government is saying that for every dollar in revenue, it has found four dollars of savings and cost-containment measures. Those 'savings' are not savings for the people of Ontario...." who are increasingly relying on social and public services during the protracted economic downturn.

 

In education "the drop in ... funding to 1.7% per year - which will mostly be spent on full-day kindergarten - doesn't even keep up with the 2% inflation rate. This will mean cuts to classrooms and services."

 

Hammond continues by pointing out that cuts to vital public services - built with our tax dollars - are being used to pay for a deficit that working people did not create:

"Given that financial sector speculation, the global recession, and the subsequent bail-out of companies created the deficit, this government has steadfastly refused to address the revenue side of the equation," he said. "Ontario doesn't have a spending problem; it has a revenue problem."
 
To read the full media release, please visit the ETFO website.

 

TOP 10 REASONS WHY THE AUSTERITY BUDGET IS MISGUIDED:
  1. Austerity budgets don't work.
  2. Ontario is not in a 'fiscal crisis.'
  3. Ontario has a revenue problem, not a spending problem.
  4. Investment in public infrastructure has always put us on the road to economic recovery.  
  5. Public services didn't create Ontario's budget deficit.
  6. Ontarians didn't vote for an austerity budget.
  7. Austerity is tearing the social fabric of what makes Ontario a great place to live.
  8. The budget targets the poor and vulnerable.
  9. Austerity plans will take a toll on women.
  10. Ontario needs a strong middle class for a strong economy.

For full explanations of the 10 reasons, please see this web page.  
In This Issue
Hammond on Ontario's Austerity Budget
Health & Safety - Don't Get Zapped!
ETFO in Focus - Beyond the Workshop Presenter's Palette
For Your Information...
Upcoming Events
ETFO Credit Courses
Quick Links
ETFO Health and Safety 
DON'T GET ZAPPED

If a piece of electrical equipment at your school doesn't look safe, it probably isn't. Electrical hazards can cause serious injuries including burns, unconsciousness and internal damage, or death. We know what these hazards look like: a frayed electrical cord; an overloaded power bar; a damaged ground pin; daisy-chained extension cords; a DVD player that just won't work properly....the list is long.

 

When you see an electrical hazard, don't wait. Report this hazard right away to your principal. It's your duty to report health and safety concerns or incidents. It's you principal's duty to investigate and deal with those reports so that nobody gets hurt. The electrical equipment at your school must be kept in good condition. When you report health and safety hazards you can count on support from your ETFO Local steward and your health and safety representative. Get advice from your ETFO Local president. Your president can contact ETFO Provincial for expert health and safety advice.

ETFO in Focus 
BEYOND THE WORKSHOP PRESENTER'S PALETTE 2012
This practical two-day workshop took place March 26-27 at provincial office. It provided an opportunity for members who regularly present workshops to expand their presentation skills. Participants revised an existing workshop with colleagues, developed effective voice strategies, and continued to build their facilitation skills to achieve high levels of audience engagement. To view the full photo gallery, please visit the ETFO website.

Beyond the Workshop Presenter's Palette 2012

Beyond the Workshop Presenter's Palette 2012
For Your Information
  • Interested in writing for Voice? Send a proposal to izorde@etfo.org. Proposals should be approximately 150 words in length and outline your idea in some detail. We are interested in receiving queries that speak to classroom practice, e.g. programs that engage students, lesson plans, professional learning events, etc. More details are available on the Voice website.

       
  • Wednesday, April 11th is Day of Pink - the International Day against Homophobic and Transphobic bullying and discrimination in schools. This year we expect thousands of students and ETFO members will be wearing pink that day. You are encouraged to wear pink on that day as well - it can be a hat, pants, skirt, belt, socks, shoes, shirt, buttons, dyed hair, and so on. Use your imagination! For more information, please visit www.dayofpink.org. 

      
  • The ETFO Advisory to Members on completing the EQAO Teacher Questionnaire was updated on February 6th. Members are now advised to NOT complete the EQAO Teacher Questionnaire due to the fact that this task is voluntary for all teachers, including those teaching grades 3 and 6. To read the full advisory, please visit the ETFO website.

     
  • Bullying Stops Now Conference - April 17th, 2012. York University's Faculties of Education and Health extend an invitation for staff, school and system leaders to attend this full day conference dealing specifically with bullying, cyber-bullying, sexting, legal issues and newly proposed legislation from our provincial government. Register now at www.edu.yorku.ca/bullyingstopsnow.

     
  • Social Justice Begins with Me: School-Wide Curriculum from Early Years to Grade Eight. This literature-based curriculum resource kit will assist teachers with addressing issues of social justice and equity in their classrooms. The kit can be ordered through shopETFO.

     
  • ETFO Professional Services is seeking individuals interested in sharing their Masters or Doctoral research via the Knowledge Mobilization Network. Selected participants will attend a two-day training session on May 11-12, 2012 at provincial office in Toronto. To register, please visit the ETFO website.

     
  • Project Overseas participant reunion, July 3-5, 2012, Ottawa. Come celebrate 50 years of CTF International Programs (1962-2012). Information updates and registration information will be posted on the CTF website under 'Events.'

 

© 2012 The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario
ETFO holds the copyright to all information in this publication, except where specifically noted.
All rights reserved.