Extracurricular activities to return to Ontario public elementary schools

The union representing Ontario's public elementary school teachers has told its members they can resume extracurricular activities due to "progress" in its discussions with the provincial government.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario said in a statement Tuesday night that it was "suspending" its earlier advisory to members to hold off on voluntary or extracurricular activities amid an ongoing labour dispute with provincial leaders.

Sam Hammond, the president of the ETFO, said the union has been in talks with Premier Kathleen Wynne's government since February and its "now confident that the government has demonstrated a commitment to dealing with concrete items of importance to our members.

"In light of the progress made during these discussions and a commitment that talks to address outstanding issues will continue, ETFO is suspending its advice to members regarding voluntary/extracurricular activities," said Hammond.

Elementary public school teachers across Ontario had stopped supervising student activities for months in response to a labour dispute with the province.

Secondary public school teachers had also suspended participation in extracurricular activities until last month, when its union leaders agreed to "suspend political action regarding voluntary activities."

However, the Ontario Secondary Schools Teachers' Federation say not all teachers will resume extracurriculars, as it will be up to each individual teacher to decide.