Teachers Union Completely In The Dark On When Ontario Educators Will Get Vaccinated

Some think teachers should get priority placement for vaccinations.
Staff Writer

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) still has no answer for one of the biggest vaccine questions in the province: when will teachers get the vaccine?

In a call with Narcity on Monday, OSSTF President Harvey Bischof said there has been no communication from the province regarding the issue of priority vaccinations for Ontario's teachers.

Editor's Choice: Ontario Is About To Get Buried In Heaps Of Snow & Awful Travel Conditions

We would like [priority vaccinations] to be given consideration. Harvey Bischof

"They have failed to consult or collaborate with us on any substantive issues since the onset of the pandemic," Bischof told Narcity.

"As usual with this government, there has been zero communication around."

But Bischof said he hopes the province will consider proposals to make teachers a priority when it comes to who gets their COVID-19 vaccine doses first.

A statement provided to Narcity from the Ontario Ministry of Health said that they know many Ontarians are eager to get vaccinated.

"Additional details related to the implementation of the COVID-19 immunization program will be provided based on the latest medical advice and scientific evidence," the statement reads.*

In previous press conferences, Ontario officials have said that the general public is likely to start being vaccinated around April 2021. 

On Monday, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) publically called for teachers around the globe to get priority vaccinations.

Ontario and Quebec administered their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday.

*This article has been updated.

  • Cormac O'Brien was an Associate Editor at Narcity Canada, covering all things exciting and trending about Canada. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Journalism from the University of Victoria, where he served as the Editor-in-Chief of the campus newspaper and was awarded the BCYNA Community News Scholarship for his writing. He was also the producer and co-host of Now On Narcity, Narcity's flagship podcast.

Ontario to move northwest regions to permanent daylight time

Ontario northwest region to end time changes

Toronto vs. Victoria: I compared the cost of living in 2026 and didn't expect these results

Some of the differences were surprisingly small — others cost thousands a year. 💸

I moved to Canada from Ukraine 4 years ago — These 7 things still completely surprise me

I've made Canada my home, but there are some Canadian habits I may never understand! 🫣

Backstreet Boys' larger-than-life Toronto residency adds 12th show

Backstreet Boys announce 12th Toronto show in 2027