FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Toronto District of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation objects in the strongest terms possible to the high-handed actions last week of Immigration officials who violated, without consultation with school authorities, the safe space that schools are supposed to provide for students. Recent statements made by the Federal Government are a step forward but do not provide the guarantee required to repair the damage done.

"In order for public education to work, teachers and education workers need to create a climate of trust in the classroom and what happened last week impaired our ability to do our jobs. Education workers need to know that their efforts are not being undermined by government officials who used students, students who had established histories and relationships in the two schools, as bait," said District 12 President Doug Jolliffe.

Jolliffe added that "children should not be forcibly removed from classrooms by officials unless the children pose a real and immediate danger to others and the school. Doing what they did, using the children to lure their parents into custody is an abuse of power that has severe consequences for the integrity of our schools."

Roger Langen, the District Officer attached to the Human Rights Committee stated that "children with an established relationship with a school have a right to continue and complete their educational year while their parents remain in Canada. International and human rights laws protect both children's rights to a safe learning environment and the school's right to its own fundamental integrity. The ill-advised and immoral entry by immigration officials into Dante Alighiere Secondary School and St. Jude Elementary School are inconsistent with Canadian values and sensibility."

OSSTF District 12 Toronto calls on Trustees for both the Public and Catholic School Boards to take strong actions to prevent such events from occurring again.

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