Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) 2026 Women’s Symposium
OSSTF/FEESO is inviting eligible Members to apply to participate in the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) 2026 Women’s Symposium, taking place in Toronto from April 30 to May 3, 2026. The symposium is sponsored by belairdirect and co-hosted by the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF), and OSSTF/FEESO.
This year’s theme, Our Roots, Our Strength, Our Rise, celebrates leadership, solidarity, and collective power of women working in education unions.
The symposium will feature workshops that examine:
- the interconnected realities of women’s wellness, burnout, mental health, and visible and invisible care responsibilities,
- how women can build confidence, amplify their voices, and advance leadership roles across unions, labour relations, and collective bargaining,
- approaches to building strong networks, fostering mentorship, and engaging allies to strengthen women’s rights and solidarity across the education sector,
- strategies to address gender-based violence in schools and workplaces, including how accessibility, disability justice, and intersectional inequities shape women’s safety, inclusion, and empowerment, and
- the impact of emerging technologies on women’s work and leadership and ways to challenge gender bias to ensure digital innovation advances gender justice.
OSSTF/FEESO is inviting up to five (5) women to participate as part of the OSSTF/FEESO delegation. All applicable costs pertaining to participation, in accordance with the 2025-2026 Federation Guidelines, will be the responsibility of Provincial Office.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- be an active OSSTF/FEESO Member,
- demonstrate active and ongoing work on women’s issues within labour, including but not limited to involvement in local/provincial committees, advocacy initiatives, bargaining priorities, campaigns, or education that advance gender equity in union spaces, and
- must verify that they have no restrictions for time release from their employer to participate.
Note: Bargaining Unit Presidents may be contacted regarding any member(s) being considered as an OSSTF/FEESO delegate. Individuals who are selected will be notified, along with their Bargaining Unit President, following approval by the Provincial Executive.
OSSTF/FEESO is dedicated to equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression, while protecting and enhancing public education. We value the participation of members with various lived experiences and actively seek and welcome applications from members of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and/or equity-seeking groups. Self-identification is voluntary.
Applications may be submitted electronically using the link below by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Leave a comment