Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) delegates wasted little time on day one, 13 July, of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) by getting down to the business of bringing back the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF). Voting to immediately see the return of the BCTF and its 41,000 members, delegates ensured that the CTF once again reaches coast to coast. The CTF and BCTF went separate ways in 2008. 

 

“We’re looking forward to hearing the voices of the BCTF leadership at the CTF Board of Directors’ meeting where we discuss pressures on public education and the teaching profession as well as societal issues that touch every Canadian,” says CTF President Heather Smith.  

 

BCTF President Glen Hansman emphasised the importance of BCTF rejoining the national organization. “The CTF provides crucial leadership on the full range of issues confronting teachers and public education, and we look forward to raising our voices together on the progressive changes needed in our schools,” Hansman says. “BC teachers also appreciate the strong role the CTF plays on the international scene, affirming our shared values of equity, diversity and inclusion, and defending public education against the global trend toward privatization,” Hansman adds. 

 

The CTF, an affiliate of Education International (EI), is active globally with various development projects underway. 

 

“We are very happy to once again have the chance to work with our colleagues from British Columbia,” said Fred van Leeuwen, General Secretary of Education International (EI). “We look forward to ongoing and fruitful collaboration.” 

 

Founded in 1920, the CTF is a national alliance of provincial and territorial Member organisations that represent nearly 200,000 teachers across Canada.