Algonquin Lakeshore

Opening Statements

• Pledge

  I pledge to work for the goal of Christian education which is to co-operate with Divine Grace in forming the true and perfect Christian.

  I promise to obey the rules and regulations of The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association and to fulfill my duties as a member.

• Prayer

  Creator God, we praise you, the source of all life. Renew our faith and guide us in our ministry as Catholic teachers.

  Let us touch the hearts and minds of those with whom we work. Lord Jesus, share with us your counsel, so we may choose knowledge over ignorance, wisdom over waste, peace over injustice, community over isolation and service over domination.

  Holy Spirit, nurture our growth. Inspire us to give birth to the creative powers within us. Let us come to the fullness of life promised in the Gospel.

• Mission

  Recognizing our uniqueness as teachers in Catholic schools, we are an Association committed to the advancement of Catholic education.

  As teacher advocates we provide professional services, support, protection and leadership.

• Acknowledgement

  We recognize and deeply appreciate the historic connection of Indigenous peoples, and the contribution that First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening our province and our country as a whole.

  As settlers, this recognition of the contributions and historic importance of Indigenous peoples must also be clearly and overtly connected to our collective commitment to make the promise and the challenge of Truth and Reconciliation real in our communities.

• Statement of Principles

  We will

  • Promote Catholic values
  • Foster the growth of confident, competent professionals
  • Support our members in collective bargaining
  • Promote spiritual growth in our members
  • Establish and exercise our rights at all levels of education decision-making
  • Build solidarity through actions that foster trust and collegiality
  • Assist our members to grow professionally by providing access to information and resources

• Human Rights Statement

  The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association is committed to:

  • Promoting full protection of its members under the Ontario Human Rights Code;
  • Recognizing that all people, regardless of age, race, creed, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and mental or physical ability, are created in the image of God and should be treated with respect, dignity and fairness;
  • Opposing sex-role stereotyping;
  • Providing an environment that is free from harassment, which on a protected grounds, is a form of discrimination, at all Association sponsored activities;
  • Fostering the goodwill and trust necessary to protect the rights of all individuals;
  • Neither tolerating nor condoning behaviour that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of individuals or the integrity of relationships;
  • Promoting mutual respect, understanding and cooperation as the basis of interaction among all in attendance and
  • Supporting a delegate’s right to fully express their democratic privilege to vote free of harassment and intimidation.

• Harassment Statement

  Harassment is a form of discrimination. Harassment on the basis of a prohibited ground is a violation of the Ontario Human Rights Code and is illegal. The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association will not tolerate any form of harassment at Association sponsored activities.

  Harassment and Sexual Harassment are addressed in the Safe Workplace and Member Conduct policy and the Sexual Harassment policy in the Association Handbook.