A handful of school boards in Ontario have confirmed they would close their schools if the province's education workers walk off the job this Friday.
Come Friday, about 55,000 of Ontario’s early childhood educators, educational assistants, administrative staff and custodians in the province’s English, French, and Catholic school boards could go on strike, if no collective agreement has been reached.The Toronto Catholic District School Board is the first in the city to share what could happen to its 195 schools if a strike takes place.
The schools’ closure would also cancel permits for special events, night school, and Saturday classes, as well as cease all excursions throughout the duration of the strike. Child-care services are currently being worked out between the TCSDB and its providers, but parents are ‘encouraged’ to make their own arrangements.
“We understand that this news is difficult and may be the source of stress among families and their children, particularly after the circumstances during the pandemic,” the Oct. 30 letter reads. “However, please be aware that the Toronto Catholic District School Board does not control the decisions regarding the strike or its remedy as negotiations rest centrally at the provincial level.”