OSSTF/FEESO Welcomes Change in Tone of the Ontario Government After Throne Speech

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 20, 2013) - The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) welcomed the positive and respectful tone in yesterday's Speech from the Throne as the new Ontario government laid out its agenda for the coming year.

"The Throne Speech demonstrated a willingness and commitment from this new provincial government to work with all stakeholders toward positive outcomes," said OSSTF/FEESO President Ken Coran. "This more respectful tone from the Liberal government is a welcome change."

"We are pleased that the government has recognized that education, from kindergarten through to post-secondary, must be a priority," continued Coran. "In addition, it was recognized that our education system needs to continue to be more inclusive for all Ontarians, including our First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. These are values and priorities that our members share and respect."

"The Throne Speech demonstrates a commitment to building partnerships and communities, and moves away from the politics of division and isolation. While this changed tone and approach are steps in the right direction, our members are waiting for the government to take concrete actions that substantiate their statements of goodwill," concluded Coran.

OSSTF/FEESO, founded in 1919, has 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.