Information for Members
Who to Call
ETFO Resources
OTIP Resources
Dependent Care Policy:
ETFO-YR will subsidize the dependent care costs of members who are required to attend meetings sponsored by the ETFO-YR outside of the regular instructional day, members who attend the ETFO-YR General Meeting, and members who attend the ETFO-YR Annual Meeting, subject to the Dependent Care policy. Dependent Care Expense Claim Forms will be available at the registration table for members who attend eligible meetings.
Please log into the Member’s Secure Area to download the form.
LTD benefit contribution rates to decrease January 1, 2026
Great news for members! We are pleased to inform you that eligible ETFO members’ LTD benefit contribution rate will decrease by 10 per cent, effective January 1, 2026.
The ETFO provincial LTD plan came into effect November 2013 and is administered by the Ontario Teachers’ Insurance Plan (OTIP).
Participation in the LTD plan is mandatory for all active full or part-time members and LTD benefit contributions are automatically deducted from eligible members’ pay cheques.
Belair Direct
Discover Home Helper – Your Ultimate Guide to Home Maintenance!
Say hello to hassle-free home upkeep with belairdirect’s new app feature, Home Helper. Get timely reminders, easy-to-follow seasonal guides, and expert tips for year-round protection.
Perfect for keeping your home in top shape, preventing costly repairs, and saving time.
Learn more about the benefits and features of the belairdirect mobile app at www.belairdirect.com/en/app/mobile-application
#HomeHelper #belairdirect #HomeMaintenance
Protect yourself against identity theft
Canadians are feeling more vulnerable to fraudsters and identity theft than ever before. In 2022, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre observed approximately $531 million in losses to fraud. In 2023, this number increased to $554 million.
Although the digital world has benefits, Canadians’ increasing online participation also creates more opportunities for fraudsters to target potential victims. Statistics Canada found that 17 per cent of the Canadian population (or one in six people) reported being a victim of fraud. That’s why Fraud Prevention Month (March) is so important. As an annual campaign, it seeks to help you recognize, reject, and report fraud.
Read more. #OTIPUpdate
New union resource for you!
This might be your first year as a member of our union, or it might be your fifth! Either way, we want every member to know more about their union, membership services and benefits, our advocacy work and how you, as an ETFO member, can get involved.
Download a copy of the new Welcome to ETFO booklet and please share it with a new member in your workplace. For other great resources visit the New Members page at etfo.ca.
Click here for more information
OTIP: The ultimate fall home maintenance checklist
Preparing your home in the warmer weather could save you some headaches when winter starts blowing in.
Wondering what kind of home maintenance tasks you need to do to get your property ready for fall and winter?
Read more. #OTIPUpdate
The Canada Revenue Agency provides educators with back-to-school tips
This back-to-school season, we are here to make it easy to teach and understand taxes. Whether you are an educator or an organization that supports educational growth, there are many resources that you can take advantage of this academic year.
Find out more about tax literacy and education-related credits and deductions at canada.ca.
Member Services
Who doesn’t like a deal?
Save with Edvantage!
Active ETFO members, can access the Edvantage program courtesy of Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan group of companies to receive discounted offers on products and services including travel, entertainment, shopping, health and wellness, insurance, and services, as well as gadgets and tech. Since May 2021, Edvantage has a new registration.
You will need your group name: ETFO, and your Edvantage number, which is your ETFO ID to register. Don’t miss Edvantage offers. Register today!
There is also an FAQ and video to help with registration, and you can subscribe to the Edvantage newsletter here.
Improve Your Mental Fitness
Starling Minds is a digital program to help you better manage stress, anxiety, burnout, and depression. Take simple steps to help you lead a healthier, happier life. Register here.
Access code: ETFOMEMBER
Have questions? Feel free to contact Starling Minds any time at members@starlingminds.com
OTIP: Should you opt out of Direct Compensation Property Damage coverage?
Soon, Ontario drivers will have a new option to restrict coverage in the event of a collision – the option not to claim damages.
In December 2022, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) announced that Ontario Policy Change Form (OPCF) 49 will give drivers the choice to opt out of Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD) coverage.
Under OPCF 49, you can agree not to be compensated by your insurance company or anyone else, including anyone at fault for causing the damage or their insurance company. But what does that mean? Read more. #OTIPUpdate
Educator Blogs
Through My Daughter’s Eyes: Picture Books and Outdoor Time – by Preeti Deokharan
Strategies and Best Practices for Building Transparency and Parent Communication in ESL/ELD Programming – Part 2 by Colleen Elep
Enter AI – by Rashmee Karnad-Jani