Ontario Launches Provincial Stability Commission in Education

Ontario public elementary students will be the first to benefit from a new tripartite body to promote good relations and solve issues between teachers and school boards, Education
Minister Gerard Kennedy announced today.
The creation of the Provincial Stability Commission follows successful discussions with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA). The body was agreed to in principle as part of the provincial dialogues last spring with Ontario’s teacher federations and school boards which resulted in unprecedented four- year teacher contracts.
“This is the new way of doing things in education. Peace and stability for students requires an ongoing best effort by all parties,” said Kennedy. “This commission is another concrete step in building an education partnership that can deliver progress for all students.”
Additional new co-operative advisory and problem-solving bodies to expedite progress in other parts of the publicly funded education system will be announced shortly.
Under its mandate, the Provincial Stability Commission will:

- Maintain a goodwill environment within education by proactively
addressing any issues that may arise from the implementation of the
four-year agreements
- Promote problem solving over formal or adversarial dispute resolution
- Problem-solve and develop best practices concerning supervision to
ensure student safety is paramount at all times.

Kennedy has appointed former Ontario deputy minister of Labour Jim Thomas to chair the Provincial Stability Commission. Thomas is a respected mediator, facilitator and labour relations advisor in the public sector, who most recently helped school boards and teacher federations implement the provincial framework agreement.
The commission includes equal representation from ETFO and OPSBA and will begin work immediately, supported by Ministry of Education staff. “I am confident that the commission will benefit students by contributing to a safe and secure learning environment,” said Thomas. “I look forward to assisting the parties to develop a stronger working relationship over the next
few years to ensure success in the next round of bargaining.”
“We welcome the establishment of the Provincial Stability Commission,” said OPSBA president Rick Johnson. “Our association is committed to working with ETFO and the Ontario government to ensure the effective implementation of the negotiated settlements to the benefit of students and staff.”
“The welfare of students has always been a priority of elementary teachers and this union, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario,” said ETFO president Emily Noble. “I see the commission as an innovative approach to supporting teachers and ensuring student success.”
“OPSBA and ETFO are to be commended for developing better ways of working together on behalf of students,” Kennedy added.