for Journalists
Canadian Teachers' Federation
Contact1: Francine Filion, Director of Communications
Phone (Bus): (613)688-4314
(Fax): (613)232-1886
E-mail: ffili@ctf-fce.ca
Contact 2: John Staple, Deputy Secretary General, Government and External Relations
Phone (Bus): (613) 232-1505 Ext 157
(Fax): (613)232-1886
Email: jstap@ctf-fce.ca
Address: 2490 Don Reid Drive, Ottawa, ON K1H 1E1
Web Site: www.ctf-fce.ca
Toll-Free Phone: 1-866-283-1505
Other Locations: Media contacts by province and territory:
British Columbia - Moira MacKenzie
Director of Communications, British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF)
(604)871-2283; mmackenzie@bctf.caAlberta - Donna Swiniarski
Coordinator, Communications, The Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA)
(780)447-9467; dswiniarski@ata.ab.caSaskatchewan – Laura Beard
Communications Manager, The Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF)
(306)373-1660; beardl@stf.sk.caManitoba - Ramon Job
Public Relations Facilitator, The Manitoba Teachers' Society (MTS)
(204)888-7961; rjob@mbteach.orgOntario - Kathleen Devlin
Director, Policy and Public Affairs, Ontario Teachers' Federation (OTF)
(416)966-3424; kathleen.devlin@otffeo.on.ca
Marie-Élisabeth Brunet
Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens, agente des communications (AEFO)
(613)244-2336; mbrunet@aefo.on.caJohanna Brand
Executive Assistant-Communications, Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO)
(416)962-3836 ext 2339; jbrand@etfo.orgAleda O'Connor
Director of Communications, The Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association (OECTA)
(416)925-2493; a.oconnor@oecta.on.caQuebec - Alan Lombard
Executive Director, Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers (QPAT)
(514)694-9777; Alan_Lombard@qpat-apeq.qc.caNew Brunswick - Jim Dysart
Director of Communications and Research, New Brunswick Teachers' Association (NBTA)
(506)452-1720; dysartj@nbnet.nb.caNouveau-Brunswick - Nicole Dupéré
Directrice de l'Information, Association des enseignantes et des enseignants francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick (AEFNB)
(506)452-1749; duperen@nbnet.nb.caNova Scotia - Paul McCormick or Angela Murray
Staff Officers, Public Relations and Communications, Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU)
(902)477-5621; pmccormick@nstu.ca or amurray@nstu.caPrince Edward Island - Robert MacRae
Executive Assistant, Professional Development, Prince Edward Island Teachers' Federation (PEITF)
(902)569-4157; rmacrae@peitf.comNewfoundland and Labrador - Lesley-Ann Browne
Communications Officer, Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association (NLTA)
(709)726-3223 Ext 228; labrowne@nlta.nl.caNorthwest Territories - David Roebuck
Executive Director, Northwest Territories Teachers' Association (NWTTA)
(867)873-8501; droebuck@nwtta.nt.caNunavut - Lou Budgell
President, Nunavut Teachers’ Association (NTA)
(867)979-0750; font@nv.sympatico.caYukon – Sharon Collins
Yukon Teachers' Association (YTA)
(867)668-6777 ext 4; admin@yta.yk.ca
Keys: Africa; Bilingualism; Careers; Charter Schools; Charter and Voucher Schools; Child Safety; Childhood Education; Children with Disabilities; Copyright Legislation; Cultural Diversity; Education; Education Associations/Teachers; Education Equity; Education Financing; Education Policy; Education Trends; Education/National Issues; Federal Election; Francophone Education; Health Care System; Home Schooling; Homosexuality; Human Rights; International Education; International Education/Training; Literacy; Literacy Advocacy; Literacy/Developing Countries; Lobbying/Lobby Groups; Media Literacy; Media Violence; New Media Literacy; Obesity; Official Language Minority Education; On-Line Learning; Parents; Pensions/Pensions Plans; Private Schools; Professional Development; Public Education; Public Schools; Safe Schools; Schools; Separate Schools; Standardized Testing; Standards and Certification; Teacher Certification; Teacher Testing; Teachers; Teachers' Education; Teaching; Unions; Women in Education; World Teachers' Day; Young Offenders Act; Youth; Youth Mental Health; Ontario*
Expertise: As the national bilingual umbrella organization for teachers in this country, the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF) has 16 provincial and territorial Member organizations representing over 215,000 teachers across Canada. CTF is a powerful voice for the profession and provides much needed support to its Member organizations and teachers at a time when many governments have moved ahead with very regressive education agendas. CTF's major areas of concern include: defending public education; promoting the teaching profession; providing support to Member organizations and teachers across Canada; addressing societal issues that affect the health and well-being of children and youth in Canada and abroad; and providing assistance and support to teacher colleagues in developing countries. For over 80 years, CTF has advanced the cause of children, defended the rights of teachers and promoted a strong public education system.
Established 1921; 41 employees.
International Operations: CTF works in partnership with teachers' organizations around the world, to promote international cooperation and provide development assistance. Programs such as Project Overseas are vital professional and organizational links between Canadian teachers' organizations and counterparts in more than 30 developing countries. Barbara MacDonald, Director of CTF International Programs (613)232-1505 Ext 123.
Features:
CTF is the largest, single voice of over 215,000 teachers in Canada.CTF intervenes whenever the interests of teachers and students are at stake. We lobby federal departments whose work affects education, children and youth, we conduct campaigns to keep commercial interests out of schools and we fight to keep education out of international trade agreements. CTF also helps teachers in the collective bargaining process, when Member organizations head into negotiations. Our research on education issues like workload, demographics, testing and funding helps our Member organizations provide stronger representation for teachers. CTF supports teachers and Member organizations by holding seminars and conferences on educational issues. We provide research on an array of topics through our Economic Service Notes and Economic Service Bulletins, which are sent to Member organizations throughout the year. CTF has assisted and will continue to assist all teacher organizations across Canada in difficult times. The strength and unity of 215,000 Canadian teachers provide a formidable force for any government to reckon with. CTF has an extensive website (www.ctf-fce.ca) to provide all members with quick access to our resources and programs. Member organizations can also use our members-only website, which provides full access to all of our research materials.
At the federal level, CTF has been active on a wide range of issues affecting teachers specifically and public education in general, including: the federal budget, the Young Offenders Act, women's issues, racism, early childhood education, official language minority education, daycare, tax reform, copyright legislation, pension reform and employment insurance. We have taken strong stands against privatization and advertising in the school system, and spoken for teachers on education issues as they relate to international trade agreements. CTF also spearheads a number of programs designed to help Canadian teachers and students. Our programs cover a wide range of topics such as literacy, anti-racism and media awareness and also help to develop a more inclusive notion of Canadian citizenship and identity.
Story Ideas:
(For detailed contact information - phone numbers, addresses and web links -
visit our website: www.ctf-fce.ca.)2008
January 21, 2008: New CTF book honours Aboriginal storytelling
January 15, 2008: Letter of sympathy to New Brunswick School
2007
November 27, 2007: No Change 18 Years Later – New Report Shows Child Poverty at 1989 Levels
November 22, 2007: Canadian teachers heartened by public support to education and teaching profession
November 19, 2007: Canadian Teachers’ Federation adopts action plan to counter cyberbullying
November 05, 2007: National Media Education Week 2007 Kicks Off with an “e-Parenting” Theme
October 31, 2007: National Media Education Week 2007 kicks off with an "e-Parenting" theme
October 17, 2007: CTVglobemedia supports Canada's second National Media Education Week
October 5, 2007: CTF hails recent harassment policy decision in Manitoba as resounding victory for all teachers in Canada
September 28, 2007: Parent booklet aims to support families in Francophone minority settings
September 25, 2007: Oct. 5 is World Teachers' Day: Teachers are engaged at the heart of their communitiesJuly 16, 2007: Letter to Prime Minister of Ethiopia
September 17, 2007: Helping make schools SAFE
July 16, 2007: Letter to Prime Minister of Ethiopia
July 13, 2007: Three teacher leaders honoured by their peers at national meeting
July 10, 2007: Canadian teachers depart on missions around the world as part of Project Overseas program
July 5, 2007: Teacher leaders to discuss cyber-bullying policy at annual meeting in Toronto
June 29, 2007: Celebrate Canada's Second Annual National Media Education Week - Nov 5-9, 2007
June 28, 2007: CTF stands with First Nations on National Day of ActionJune 12, 2007: CTF Applauds Supreme Court Ruling Recognizing Collective Bargaining Rights
June 12, 2007: CTF Applauds Supreme Court Ruling Recognizing Collective Bargaining Rights
May 16, 2007: May 17, National Day Against Homophobia: New teacher resource aims to nurture better understanding of BGLTT students
May 3, 2007: National teachers' conference to focus on social justice and social action in Canadian schools
April 20, 2007: CTF and CSQ Celebrate EARTH DAY with Launch of Environmental Learning Blog
April 12, 2007: "EDUCATION IS A HUMAN RIGHT" Educators call upon governments to honour commitments to free, quality, public education for all
March 8, 2007: Educators aim to eliminate discrimination and violence against women and girls
January 9, 2007: Letter to Prime Minister His Excellency Meles Zenawi
2006
December 19, 2006: Appointment of New Director of Services to Francophones of the Canadian Teachers' Federation
December 14, 2006: Appointment of new Director of Economic and Member Services of the Canadian Teachers' Federation
December 11, 2006: Labour Rights are Human Rights -CTF Commemorates International Human Rights Day
November 27, 2006: Op-ed -- "A lot goes into media. What do you take out?"
November 20, 2006: "A lot goes into media. What do you take out?" -- New campaign launches with National Media Education Week
November 16, 2006: News Conference Advisory - Public campaign, youth contest, tools for teachers and school activities to underline first National Media Education Week
November 13, 2006: National Children's Alliance Celebrates 10th Anniversary
November 2, 2006: Appointment of new Deputy Secretary General of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation
October 26, 2006: CTF President Remarks, FSL Teacher Survey Report, Joint Press Conference – CTF, CASLT, CAIT, Saskatoon.
October 11, 2006: Op-ed on School User Fees
October 10, 2006: New Tools Launched To Encourage Media Literacy and Support National Media Education Week
October 4, 2006: World Teachers' Day, October 5
October 3, 2006: Cuts to Literacy Programs Regressive
September 15, 2006: CTF president letter to Dawson College
July 19, 2006: CTF has new executive, reestablishes Status of Women committee; Canadian teachers depart on missions around the world as part of Project Overseas program
July 14, 2006: Increasing diversity in public schools calls for specialized personnel and in-service training for teachers
July 13, 2006: Three teacher leaders from Alberta, Nova Scotia and Ontario honored by Canadian Teachers' Federation; Canadian teachers to render 2006 Public Education Advocacy Award to parent activist in Newfoundland and Labrador
July 7, 2006: Teacher leaders to discuss diversity, bargaining rights at annual meeting in Ottawa
June 2, 2006: Appointment of new Secretary General of the Canadian Teachers' Federation
May 17, 2006: May 17, National Day Against Homophobia: New teacher resource aims to nurture better understanding of BGLTT students
May 16, 2006: Canadian teachers believe CCL's Composite Learning Index provides balanced approach
May 16, 2006: May 29th - National Fundraising Count Day aims to audit commercial activities in schools
May 15, 2006: Op-ed: Beyond the bake sale: Exposing the many faces of commercialism in public schools
May 15, 2006: Dependence on private dollars in public classrooms raises concerns about equity, accountability-report
May 9, 2006: News Conference Advisory Landmark survey of schools reveals advertising and commercial activities filling education funding gap
May 3, 2006: Federal Budget short-changes Canadian Children
May 1st, 2006: Canadian teachers call on BC government to live up to its promise to kids and teachers
April 11, 2006: Shortage of qualified teachers is global focus of 6th
annual Global Action Week
March 9, 2006: Canadian Teachers' Federation is pleased to announce a partnership with CNW Group for Communication Services
March 7, 2006: Letter of concern to Prime Minister of Canada re: decision to terminate the child care agreement concluded with all provinces during the last session of parliament
February 28, 2006: "An Invitation to Success in French-language Schools": New resources focus on early childhood learning of language and culture in Francophone minority setting
February 22, 2006: News Conference Advisory
February 6, 2006: Four Canadian unions sign pact to protect collective bargaining
January 25, 2006: National Media Education Week
January 18, 2006: Four of Canada's largest labour organizations have formally signed a Mutual Aid and Assistance pact to promote and protect collective bargaining in Canada.
January 13, 2006: Teachers across Canada urge Newfoundland and Labrador school district to fully reinstate teachers
January 12, 2006: Teachers across Canada invited to check out party leaders' positions on issues related to children, youth and education
2005
November 10, 2005: Educators and parents explore ways to open doors wider to all students at inclusive schools conference
November 7, 2005: Canada's wired kids: connected, active and younger than ever
November 4, 2005: Media Advisory - Teachers from world's two coldest national capitals cooperate in international professional development program
October 20, 2005: Hardship Fund aims to provide BC teachers with financial support on the picket lines
October 17, 2005: CTF and Teacher organizations to rally in support of B.C. teachers
September 28, 2005: Canadian teachers collectively spend millions of their own money on professional development activities
July 19, 2005: Project Overseas' orientation a resounding success!
July 18, 2005: Teachers' leaders elect new executive, determine federation's priorities for coming year
July 15, 2005: Canadian teachers face longer hours of work and more challenging working conditions compared to four years ago: national survey; National survey reveals trend of commercialism and fundraising schemes in Canadian schools
July 14, 2005: Three teacher leaders honored by their peers at national meeting; Canadian teachers to honour parent activist
Annie Kidder, founder of "People for Education"
July 4, 2005: Canadian teacher leaders to focus on national education issues at annual meeting in Saskatoon
July 15, 2005: Canadian teachers face longer hours of work and more challenging working conditions compared to four years ago: national survey; National survey reveals trend of commercialism and fundraising schemes in Canadian schools
July 14, 2005: Three teacher leaders honored by their peers at national meeting; Canadian teachers to honour parent activist
Annie Kidder, founder of "People for Education"
June 21, 2005: Teachers oppose Bill C-60 as federal government makes it illegal for kids to download, save and share free Internet materials
May 11, 2005: National Teachers' Conference to Focus on Breaking Barriers and Opening Doors to Inclusive Schools
April 25, 2005: "Report Card" on Aid to Basic Education: Canada Scores "C", Seventh Among Donors, Behind Ireland, UK and Nordics
April 14, 2005: President Of Education International To Visit Ottawa To Launch Global Action Week
March 9, 2005: Canadian Teachers And Students Invited To Send A Friend To School As Part Of The Worldwide Campaign To Provide Education for All by 2015
March 3, 2005: March 8 - International Women's Day: Canadian Teachers Play Pivotal Role In Advancing Women's Issues In
Developing Countries Around The World
February 8, 2005: Navigating Copyright In Schools: An Updated Resource For Canadian Educators Released
January 5, 2005: Canadian Teachers Rally In Support Of South Eastern Asia Colleagues Affected By Tsunamis
2004
October 20, 2004: Class Size Reduction Cited As Top Spending Priority In Education: Public Opinion Poll
October 4, 2004: Oct. 4-10: National Family Week©
October 4, 2004: Tomorrow, Oct. 5, is World Teachers' Day
October 2004: Canadian Teachers' Federation Applauds Concerned Children's Advertisers On Launch Of Long Live Kids!
September 28, 2004: National Study Focuses On The Realities Of Teaching In Francophone Minority Schools Outside Quebec
September 18, 2004: Hurricane Relief In Grenada
July 19, 2004: MEDIA ADVISORY - Education International Fourth World Congress 22-26 July 2004 Porto Alegre, Brazil
July 9, 2004: Two Education Leaders From Alberta And Ontario Honoured At National Teachers' Meeting
July 8, 2004: Poll Shows Canadians Favour More Resources For Special Needs Students In The Classroom
July 6, 2004: Canadian Teachers' Federation Conference To Focus On Inclusion In Education
June 21, 2004: New CTF Report Positions Learner At The Heart Of Accountability In Education
June 3, 2004: National Teacher Federation Features Party Leaders' Responses To Key Issues Related To Children, Youth And Education
June 1, 2004: National Body Of Canadian Teachers Endorses National Day Against Homophobia
April 30, 2004: Educators And School Administrators To Focus On Accountability In Education At National Conference In Ottawa
May 18, 2004: Budget Raises More Questions Than Answers For Teachers And Education
May 13, 2004: Teachers Support Professional Development And The Elimination Of The Tory PLP Program
May 13-15, 2004: Educators And School Administrators To Focus On Accountability In Education At National Conference In Ottawa
April 2004: Teachers Of Canada Are Rallying Their Support Behind Public Service Workers In Newfoundland And Labrador Workers
April 19-25, 2004: Global Action Week For Education
April 7, 2004: Open Letter To Jewish Community Members In Wake Of Attack On Montreal School
April 2004: Education As A Basic Right
March 8, 2004: International Women's Day: Hats Off To Canadian Teachers For Setting A Shining Example In Promoting Gender Equality In Education Around The World
February 26, 2004: Students To Be Presented With National Awards In Recognition Of Black History Month
February 24, 2004: New Media Literacy Tools To Provide Teachers And Parents With Ideas To Help Children And Students Deal With Media Around Them
February 2004: New Musical CD Complements Cultural Handbook For Francophone Teachers In Minority Settings
January 30, 2004: Teachers Applaud Supreme Court Decision To Uphold Section 43 Of The Criminal Code
January 28, 2004: CTF Available For Interviews In Reaction To Supreme Court Ruling On Section 43 Of Criminal Code2003
November 28, 2003: National Survey Highlights Need For Common Strategic Vision, Training, And Support For Teachers
November 19, 2003: CTF Study Demonstrates The Need For Media Education; Media Educators Applaud Kids' Take On Media Survey; Parents Give Their View On National Kids Take On Media Survey Results; First-Ever National Survey Of Canadian Children And Adolescents Reveals Their Media Habits
November 18, 2003: "Report Card" On Aid To Basic Education: Canada Scores Highest Of All G7 Donors, But Falls Short Of The Need
November 14, 2003: Survey Of Kids' Media Habits Reveals Important Role For Teachers And Parents
September 19, 2003: Teachers - Opening Doors To A Better World 2003 Teachers' Day Theme/le 19 septembre: Enseigner Ouvre Les Portes Vers Un Monde Meilleur - Theme De La Journee Mondiale Des Enseignantes Et Des Enseignants De 2003
July 12, 2003: Newly Elected Executive Of Canadian Teachers' Federation Set Sights On Strengthening National Body Of Teachers; Teachers, Not Government's Political Friends Should Hold Majority Within BC College Of Teachers; Canadian Teachers Reiterate Call To B.C. Government, Comply And Be Accountable To International Conventions
July 11, 2003: Four Educators Honoured At National Teachers' Meeting
July 10, 2003: Canadians Favour Teachers' Evaluations Of Student Learning Over Standardized Tests, Public Opinion Poll
June 18, 2003: Accountability In Public Education At Heart Of Discussion Of Canadian Teachers' Federation Annual Meeting
June 10, 2003: Early Childhood: Gateway To French-language Schools
May 15, 2003: Canadian Teachers' Federation Praises This Year's Prime Minister's Award Recipients
April 25, 2003: Teachers Launch Ad Campaign to Renew Their Call: Premier Campbell, Show Respect for International Law!
April 11, 2003: A New Francophone Web Portal for Youth
April 2, 2003: Teachers Seek To Break Guinness World Record for Largest Simultaneous Lesson
March 28, 2003: Canadian Teachers Applaud Recent ILO Decision Chastising BC Government
March 4, 2003: New Publication to Help Teachers Examine Implications of Online Education
March 3, 2003: Canadian Teachers Oppose War with Iraq
February 28, 2003: March 8 - International Women's Day: Education of Women and Girls - A Burning Issue
February 17, 2003: Federal Budget2002
November 20, 2002: Canadian Cable Industry and Teachers Celebrate World Television Day
November 14, 2002: CTF to Hold Symposium on Aboriginal Education
November 4, 2002: Canadian Children's Book Week, Launch of First National Francophone Cultural Activities Handbook
October 4, 2002: Launch of New Magazine as National Voice for the Teaching Profession in Canada; World Teacher's Day 2002
July 11, 2002: 80% Support Increased Funding for Public Education, Says Public Opinion Poll
June 26, 2002: Education Leaders to Address Public Education Issues at CTF's Annual General Meeting
June 6, 2002: G7 Finance Ministers: Where's the Money to Get Kids Into School?
May 13, 2002: UN Child Summit and Education for All
April 25, 2002: Hemispheric Secretariat on Education Web Site Launched Today
April 22, 2002: Global Action Week April 22-28, 2002 - Canadian Teachers and Oxfam Canada Call on G8 to Provide Free, Quality Education for Every Childupdated: February 22, 2008