Message from the President

Welcome to the Ottawa Carleton Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (OC ETFO)

We support approximately 3,500 elementary school teachers (K to Gr. 8) working in the Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB).

We are an equity-based union organization dedicated to providing fair, consistent, and transparent support to our members. OC ETFO regularly shares resources and offers professional development opportunities to add value to members’ professional journeys and to ensure everyone has the flexibility to grow together with colleagues as well as to learn at their own pace.

It is important that our members can connect with and support one another as well. We are proud to have a number of standing committees that work directly with equity-seeking groups, in addition to grade and subject professional learning committees. The participation of new members is always welcome.

Education is the foundation of society.

That’s why Ottawa Carleton ETFO/FEEO champions the cause of excellence in education, promoting the highest standards of professional ethics and working to make sure schools are healthy and safe for children and teachers alike.

Please contact us so we can provide the caring and compassionate advice and support you deserve.  

2025-2026 Released Officers

For the 2025-2026 school year, the released officers in the OC ETFO office are:

Stephen Skoutajan – President  

The President is responsible for carrying out the business of the Federation between meetings of the Executive and is the official union spokesperson at the Board, with the Media, & at the Provincial level. Stephen is the union representative at the Board Committee of the Whole (COW) and is responsible for matters connected for Constitutional and Policy and Procedure matters as well as setting the Council and Executive agendas and chairing Executive meetings.

Susan Gardner – 1st Vice President  

Susan is your contact for matters concerning Budget issues relating to both the union and the OCDSB. In addition, Susan is also responsible for Professional Relations Services (PRS) and advice to members and schools in the Prince Duah, Kristin Riddell and Marva Major Superintendencies.

Melcha Wolanski – 2nd Vice President  

Melcha is the contact for matters concerning Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), Long Term Disability (LTD), and is the union representative at the OCDSB Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). She assists members with Early Intervention processes in the beginning stages of illness or injury and acts as the PD Day Committee Liaison. Melcha is also your contact for Professional Learning (PL) Funding and Committees as well as the Executive Liaison for the New Teacher Teachers’ Initiative Committee.

Jennifer Duncan – 3rd Vice President  

Jennifer is the member contact in the OC ETFO/FEEO office for Political Action. She is also responsible for Professional Relations Services (PRS) advice to members in the Amy Hannah and Nadia Towaij Superintendencies.  

Brian LeSage – Chief Negotiating Officer  

Brian is the contact for members with questions regarding contractual issues including: Staffing, Pregnancy/Parental/ Adoption Entitlements, Leave Entitlements, the Every Teacher Survey (ETS), Membership Priority Survey (MPS), Timetabling, Report Cards, Retirement and the Collective Agreement. Brian is also responsible for Professional Relations Services (PRS) advice to members in schools in Mary Jane Farrish’s Superintendency. 

Lee-Anne Feltham – CHSC, CRSP, Health & Safety Officer  

Lee-Anne is the member contact for matters relating to Occupational Health and Safety. Lee-Anne is the OC ETFO/FEEO representative and Worker Co-Chair of the Board’s Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC). In addition, Lee-Anne is a member of JHSC related committees including the Inspection and Workplace Violence Subcommittees. In her role, Lee-Anne investigates critical injuries, attends work refusals, accompanies Ministry of Labour officials and can be present at indoor environmental quality testing.