Teachers paid to canvass for union-backed candidates

TORONTO - Toronto secondary school teachers are being given paid time off by their union to canvass for a slate of union-approved municipal candidates, the Toronto Sun has learned.

Teachers who canvass for two three-hour stints get a day off teaching. Their union, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF), reimburses the school board for their time.

The union representing Toronto’s public secondary school teachers confirmed teachers are being given paid “time release” to canvass for a union-backed list of school trustees, councillors and mayoralty candidates.

One teacher, who spoke to the Sun on condition of anonymity, said some teachers oppose the deal because they do not support the union-endorsed candidates.

“Yes, some members have received time release to work for candidates,” said District 12 (Toronto) OSSTF President Doug Jolliffe.

“This is allowable under the Election Act,” Jolliffe said by e-mail.

Asked which candidates received union support, he pointed to the OSSTF website...