The union representing public high school teachers is throwing its support behind four local New Democrats and one Liberal in the June 2 election.
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation announced its endorsements in five area ridings on Wendesday. The OSSTF says it wants its members to support Peggy Sattler (NDP) in London-West, Terence Kernaghan (NDP) in London North Centre, Teresa Armstrong (NDP) in London Fanshawe, Lindsay Wilson (NDP) in Oxford, and Heather Jackson (Liberal) in Elgin Middlesex London.
"This upcoming June 2nd election comes at a critical time for Ontario and for public education," said OSSTF President Karen Littlewood. "We have had four years of cuts, false promises, and mismanagement by the Ford government, compounded by two years of an unprecendented pandemic. OSSTF/FEESO and its 60,000 members are looking for change."
The endorsements came a day after the union announced it was endorsing NDP candidates in the Windsor area.
Sattler, the current MPP for London West, said the endorsement shows the union and the party share a committment to improving education in Ontario.
"I got into public education as a public school trustee 22 years ago because of my passion for education, and when I see the platform that OSSTF/FEESO has released, I see that many of the values that motivated me are also things that they are totally committed to," she said. "We've seen attacks on teacher and education bargaining rights with Bill 124, just as we saw under the Liberals with Bill 115."
The OSSTF education platform centres on five pillars. They include increasing student centred supports and services, improving learning conditions for all, centring schools as part of our communities, addressing systemic inequities, and safe and healthy conditions for working and learning.
"Public education is a pillar of a future generation that can carry our social, our economic future in this province," said Armstrong, the current MPP for London Fanshawe. "So I want to thank all the teachers and education workers who've worked so tirelessly through the pandemic......And now it's a chance for us to work together, and when we form government, to listen to the front lines...I am honoured to have your support."
The race in London North Centre is expected to be a tight one, with Liberal candidate Kate Graham, Jerry Pribil of the Progressive Conservaties, and the Green Party's Carol Dyck all looking to unseat Kernaghan. The incumbent said Wednesday he is very gratified to recieve the OSSTF's endorsement.
"As a former educator and as a trained educator, it means a great deal to me to have the support of the wonderful people on the front lines who've done tremendous work throughout this pandemic to make sure students learn safely and to make sure students learn in the best way possible," Kernaghan said.
In Oxford, Wilson hopes to flip the seat that has long been held by Ernie Hardeman (PC). What seems like a monumental task is not fazing Wilson, who is no stranger to politics. She is the co-founder of Municipal Campaign School Oxford County, a group that mentors and encourages women to run for public office.
"Schools are the heart of our communities and it's time they were treated as such," she said. "I am proud to be running on a platform that will finally fix our education system, one and for all. I look forward to the opportunity to work alongside education workers and to invest in high quality, public education that helps everyone get back on their feet. Our education platform will ensure that every education worker and student has what they need to succeed in and out of the classroom."
The OSSTF endorsed Liberal candidate and former St. Thomas Mayor Heather Jackson in Elgin Middlesex London, where there is no incumbent in the election because MPP Jeff Yurek (PC) is not running again. Jackson says a Liberal government would work to improve education in the province.
"We will significantly invest in smaller class sizes, safe schools, and hire over 10,000 new teachers. The Liberals will end mandatory permanent online learning, while investigating high quality optional online resources and courses for high school students," she said.
The OSSTF has roughly 60,000 members in Ontario. Littlewood said Wednesday that each is expected to get involved in the election, whether as a volunteer or an engaged voter. She added the endorsements can help guide members as they consider for whom they should cast their vote.
"It carries the weight of our federation and encourages, actually demands, our 60,000 members to get out three, to roll up their sleeves, support these candidates and their campaigns, and to do whatever they can to get endorsed candidates elected on June 2nd," she said.