CJLC Continues to Raise Objections about the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario’s (ETFO) antisemitism training to its provincial Executive, delivered by a fringe organization, is expected to happen this week.

In response, Leslie Wolfe, Labour Education Consultant for CJLC, issued the following statement: 

“ETFO’s decision to appoint Independent Jewish Voices to lead antisemitism training for its provincial executive is deeply problematic. IJV promotes an extremist, anti-Zionist ideology that stands in sharp contrast to the perspectives and lived experiences of most Jewish Canadians. This decision marginalizes Jewish members within its own union and risks negatively affecting Jewish students and families across Ontario. 

“It is deeply troubling that this training is moving forward with limited transparency. In recent weeks, hundreds of parents and educators have written to the ETFO executive urging it to rescind this misguided decision. Their concerns have been ignored, when it is their children who are taught by ETFO members. That lack of openness raises serious questions about judgment and accountability. 

“The CJLC urges ETFO to reverse this decision immediately and to engage broadly representative Jewish organizations with recognized expertise in antisemitism.  

“Education about antisemitism must be inclusive, historically accurate, and grounded in the realities of Jewish life in Canada— not shaped by fringe ideological positions that fail to reflect the actual spectrum of antisemitism experienced by Jewish Ontarians. 

“The CJLC will continue to raise the alarm and advocate for Jewish union members to ensure that antisemitism training in Ontario’s labour movement is credible, inclusive, and grounded in the realities of Jewish life in Canada.”