Chilliwack Teachers' Association

What a day. 🌈

Today marks a huge and important win for trans rights and school inclusivity in BC. The BC Human Rights Tribunal has made it clear that discrimination and harmful rhetoric targeting trans and gender diverse people have no place in our schools or our society.

This decision affirms what educators have always known to be true. Safe, inclusive schools matter. Words matter. And when hate is allowed to spread unchecked, it causes real harm to students, educators, and families.

This is a victory for trans and gender diverse teachers and students, for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and for everyone who believes that schools must be places of belonging, dignity, and respect.

To our trans and gender diverse colleagues and students, we see you, we value you, and we will continue to stand with you. Today is a moment to celebrate, and to recommit to building schools where everyone belongs. 🏳️‍🌈✊

See the decision embedded in the Press Release.

BCTF celebrates huge win for trans rights and school inclusivity at BC Human Rights Tribunal VANCOUVER—The BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) is celebrating a significant decision* by the BC Human Rights Tribunal that affirms the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ teachers and individuals to be free...

Our hearts are heavy as we hold the Tumbler Ridge community in our thoughts following the devastating tragedy at the school. Even when events like this happen outside our own community, they can feel deeply personal, especially for educators who carry the emotional safety and wellbeing of children every single day.

Teachers are often asked to be steady in moments when the world feels anything but. Your compassion, presence, and commitment to creating safe and caring spaces for students, especially during times of collective and unimaginable grief, matters more than words can fully express. That invisible emotional labour is real, and it carries weight.

On behalf of Chilliwack teachers, we are sending care, compassion, and strength to the educators, students, families, and first responders in Tumbler Ridge, and to all school communities who are feeling the ripple effects of this tragedy.

Reid Clark
CTA President

We are at a critical point in provincial collective bargaining. Despite extensive negotiations, talks remain at an impasse because teachers’ core issues have not been meaningfully addressed. Classroom conditions, workload, class size and composition, and adequate supports for students remain unresolved and underfunded.

We appreciate open and respectful conversations with local MLAs across parties. While we may disagree on certain issues—including aspects of the Conservative Party’s stance on education—these conversations are important opportunities to share the lived realities of educators and students. Dialogue matters, but it must translate into action at the bargaining table.

This is about the daily reality in our classrooms and the conditions required to provide safe, inclusive, and effective learning environments. As a union, we will continue to advocate firmly for a fair, fully funded agreement that prioritizes public education and respects the work of educators.

BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF)

Grateful for the opportunity to connect today with Reid (President) and Sarabpreet (Vice-President) of the Chilliwack Teachers’ Association.

Thank you both for your thoughtful advocacy, your candour, and your commitment to students, families, and educators in our community. These conversations are so important, and I appreciate you taking the time to meet and share your perspectives.

Looking forward to staying in touch and continuing this work together. 🍎

Our Christmas wish isn’t a puppy — it’s a fair deal for educators and the supports our students deserve. 🎄

Check out our op-ed on what BC students and teachers really need this season.

https://chilliwackteachers.com/pdf/CTA-Op-Ed-All-I-Want-For-Christmas.pdf



BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF)BC Federation of LabourCTF - FCE

Across BC, teachers are wearing RED to stand up for a fully funded, properly supported public education system. Our BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF) bargaining team is back at the table, and we are showing them—and the government—that we are united, we are strong, and we are done settling for less.

When we wear red, we’re not just making a statement for ourselves. We’re speaking up for:
* Students who deserve better learning conditions
* Teachers who are struggling under impossible workloads.
* Schools and a system that need meaningful investment—not promises.
* A public system that must be protected and strengthened.

This is about working conditions. This is about learning conditions. This is about the future of our kids and our communities.

If you’re wearing red today, snap a photo and share it with the hashtag

Let’s fill social media with red. Let’s make our voices impossible to ignore. ❤️📚✊

BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF) CTF - FCE BC Federation of Labour Fraser Valley Labour Council

📣 Standing with Alberta Teachers

The Alberta government’s use of the notwithstanding clause to force a contract on teachers and silence their right to collective bargaining is a dangerous overreach.

We’ve urged our local Chilliwack MLAs to defend democratic rights, stand with Alberta teachers, and support strong, properly funded public education here at home.

Read our letter here:https://chilliwackteachers.com/pdf/Open-Letter-to-Chilliwack-MLAs.pdf

Protecting fair bargaining means protecting students, classrooms, and our democracy. ✊🏽

BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF)
CTF - FCE
BC Federation of Labour

🎉 100 Years Strong! 🎉
The Chilliwack Teachers’ Association recently celebrated its 100th Anniversary—and what a night it was! From powerful speeches to heartfelt reflections, we honoured the generations of teachers who have shaped public education in our community.

We invite you to visit our website to view the speeches and video tribute to our past, present, and future:
👉 https://chilliwackteachers.com/cta-100th-anniversary/

Photos from the celebration will be posted in the coming weeks. Thank you to everyone who helped make this milestone unforgettable. Here's to the next 100 years of solidarity, advocacy, and education! 💙✏️📚

Our survey of candidates in the upcoming Trustee by-election is now out!

Visit:https://chilliwackteachers.com/pdf/2025-Trustee-Questionnaire.pdf

Please also read our Press Release about the survey:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chilliwack Teachers’ Association Surveys Trustee Candidates to Inform Voters on Public Education Priorities

The Chilliwack Teachers’ Association (CTA) is committed to ensuring that public education remains inclusive, well-funded, and centred on the needs of students and educators. As part of this commitment, the CTA has reached out to all candidates running in the upcoming Chilliwack School Board by-election with a comprehensive survey. This initiative aims to provide educators and community members with insight into the candidates’ perspectives on key educational issues.

“The Chilliwack Teachers’ Association represents approximately 1,200 dedicated educators in our district, many of whom live and work in Chilliwack,” said Reid Clark, President of the CTA. “Teachers care deeply about the future of public education and want to ensure that our members, and the wider community, have the information they need to make informed choices at the ballot box.”

The CTA’s questionnaire explores a variety of essential topics, including the candidates’ motivations for seeking election, their understanding of the trustees’ governance role, and their stance on significant issues such as public funding for private schools. Additionally, it examines each candidate’s strategies for staying informed on key educational concerns and their approach to advocacy in addressing challenges like inadequate funding, staffing shortages, and school overcrowding. By posing these questions, the CTA aims to provide its members and the broader community of voters with a clearer understanding of each candidate’s priorities and vision for Chilliwack’s public education system.

“At a time when public education faces significant challenges, including severe teacher shortages, chronic underfunding, and increasing student needs, we urge voters to choose candidates who are committed to advocating for a strong, well-resourced public education system,” Clark emphasized. “This by-election is an opportunity to elect a leader who will work to support our schools and ensure every student receives the high-quality education they deserve.”

The CTA encourages all community members to engage with the candidates, review their responses, and most importantly, cast their votes in the upcoming by-election. Every vote counts in shaping the future of education in Chilliwack.

The Chilliwack Teachers’ Association (CTA) congratulates Heather Maahs on her election as MLA. However, we heard that she chose to write an opinion piece in Fraser Valley Today about the state of public education. While we welcome her commitment to public service, we call on her and her party to prioritize the needs of students and families by addressing critical issues in public education.

✅ Our Call to Action:

1. Advocate for fully funded, inclusive, and equitable education.
2. Address the shortage of education support workers and teaching professionals.
3. Commit to meaningful early intervention and classroom support.

Public education is the cornerstone of a thriving society. We invite Ms. Maahs to collaborate with educators to build a brighter future for BC students. Words are not enough—our students deserve action!

Please see our response to her Op-ed below👇

BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF)

The Chilliwack Teachers' Association Mourns the Loss of Dan Coulter, former MLA and Dedicated Advocate for Public Education. Thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

For Immediate Release
October 15, 2024

Chilliwack Teachers' Association Releases Provincial Candidate Public Education Survey.https://chilliwackteachers.com/pdf/Provincial-Election-Candidate-Questionnaire-October-2024.pdf

The Chilliwack Teachers' Association (CTA) has launched a comprehensive survey directed at the provincial election candidates to address growing concerns regarding policies affecting public education. The CTA is one of the largest public sector unions in Chilliwack, many of whom are eager voters who want to know where all candidates stand on key issues in both the Chilliwack-Cultus Lake and Chilliwack-North ridings.

The CTA is concerned that the two Conservative Party of BC candidates disregarded our request to participate in our questionnaire, choosing instead to release their misguided education platform over a holiday weekend. CTA President Reid Clark emphasized his concern by stating, “This platform spreads harmful misinformation and poses a direct threat to the quality of education across the province.”

Clark adds, “What’s even more concerning is the endorsement of this platform by current Chilliwack School Trustee, Heather Maahs—someone who, as a public official, should know better. Maahs is expected to champion a fully funded public education system, yet she is supporting policies that jeopardize the very institution she was elected to protect. Her actions are a betrayal of her role as a trustee, showing a blatant disregard for the future of our students and schools.”

The BC Conservatives, led by John Rustad—whose record as a former BC Liberal includes deep cuts to education and a legacy of legal conflicts with the BC Teachers’ Federation—continue this destructive path. Voters must be vigilant to prevent these same harmful policies from eroding the progress and stability of our public education system.

In contrast, the BC NDP has articulated a plan to bolster student mental health resources, increase Education Assistance for schools, and commitments to capital projects. While these initiatives represent significant progress, the CTA warns that additional efforts are needed to address the teacher shortage and fully support teaching and learning conditions in BC classrooms.

“The education of our children should be a top priority for every candidate,” stated Reid Clark, President of the Chilliwack Teachers' Association. “While the BC NDP has taken crucial steps towards enhancing support, we urge all parties to commit to the needs of both students and educators.”

The CTA President calls on all political parties to prioritize comprehensive, evidence-based education policies that ensure the well-being of students and uphold the integrity of public education. The Chilliwack Teachers’ Association invites community members, educators, and parents to join in advocating for policies that support a robust and equitable educational future.

chilliwackteachers.com