Ontario reaches deal with teachers in French-language public system

Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the province has reached a deal with teachers in the French-language public system.

The news comes weeks after members of the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens voted 93 per cent in favour of a strike mandate.

The structure of AEFO's deal is similar to those agreed to with elementary and secondary school teachers, sending outstanding matters such as salary to binding arbitration.

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It ensures there will be no strikes or other job action in the French-language public schools for the next three years.

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association is now the only major teachers' union without such a deal in place, and Lecce says he encourages them to sign a deal.

AEFO president Anne Vinet-Roy says members' collective strength has demonstrated to the government and school boards that French-language education must be recognized, funded fairly and that its specific needs be taken into consideration.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 15, 2024.