Ontario teachers face new school year without active contracts

Ontario’s 255,000 teachers and education workers are set to begin the 2026-27 school year without new contracts after bargaining with the province and school boards stalled. While the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) confirmed that schools will open as scheduled on September 8, union leaders warned that job action remains a possibility.

Negotiations have hit a standstill, with several issues referred to the Ontario Labour Relations Board. Unions, including ETFO, AEFO, OECTA, CUPE-OSBCU, and OSSTF/FEESO, have expressed frustration over the bargaining process. Union leaders have criticized the provincial government for attempting to centralize control, which they argue strips power from local school boards.

In Ottawa, local union representatives expressed specific concerns regarding the province's strategy to take over central bargaining. They argued that centralizing decisions on matters like staffing and teacher transfers could undermine the unique needs of the capital, particularly regarding bilingualism and French instruction access.