Martha Hradowy
Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF)
President of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF). A consistent critic of the Ford government's education policies, Hradowy has warned that replacing directors of education with CEOs who lack education backgrounds signals "troubling corporatization" of Ontario's public school system, and that the government's teacher education changes "only open the front door while teachers walk out the back."
Connected Scandals
The Ford government has tabled Bill 101 — the Putting Student Achievement First Act — replacing elected directors of education with CEOs requiring business credentials, gutting trustees' budget and bargaining powers, and mandating government-approved lesson plans in every classroom, while education unions warn it is a roadmap to corporate control of Ontario's public schools.
As OSSTF president, Hradowy publicly condemned Bill 101 on the day of its tabling, warning that replacing directors of education with CEOs requiring business credentials signals "troubling corporatization" of public education, and calling the broader restructuring an unprecedented level of government interference in Ontario's education system.
Collective agreements for Ontario teachers expire August 31, 2026, and most schools return September 8. Talks have stalled over whether items are bargained centrally or locally, ETFO and OSSTF remain without agreements, and both unions say strike action is not off the table.
As OSSTF President, Hradowy publicly criticized the province's bargaining posture on August 18, 2026, as talks stalled over whether items are bargained centrally or locally. OSSTF does not have an agreement. Hradowy said: "This government wants to centralize almost everything, stripping away local voice." Teacher collective agreements expire August 31, 2026, and most schools return September 8, 2026.
A leaked Ministry of Education ad script obtained by The Trillium shows actors playing parents criticizing teacher unions over sick days and doctor's notes, produced while five major education unions have suspended bargaining. Education Minister Paul Calandra defended the campaign; ETFO's president called it a taxpayer-funded smear campaign.
OSSTF President who said it is "not unlike this government to spend public money on ads to try and shape a narrative," responding to the leaked script. OSSTF is one of five major education unions that suspended talks and referred scope-of-bargaining disputes to the Ontario Labour Relations Board.