A northern Ontario French-language school board is set to eliminate five secretarial positions by August 30, 2026, according to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The union announced the job cuts on July 3, 2026, criticizing the decision and vowing to fight the reductions.
Details of the Job Cuts
The affected positions are within the Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO), which operates French-language Catholic schools across the region. CUPE represents the secretarial staff and stated that the cuts will impact school operations and increase workloads for remaining employees.
“These cuts are short-sighted and will harm the quality of education support services,” said a CUPE spokesperson. The union plans to challenge the board’s decision through negotiations and potential legal avenues.
Union Response and Impact
CUPE has called on the school board to reconsider, emphasizing the essential role of secretaries in daily school functions. The union also highlighted that the reductions come amid broader funding pressures in Ontario’s education system.
The school board has not yet publicly commented on the reasons for the cuts. However, CUPE noted that the decision was communicated to affected employees in late June. The positions are scheduled to be eliminated before the start of the 2026-2027 academic year.
This development follows a trend of staffing reductions in some Ontario school boards as they grapple with budget constraints. CUPE has pledged to keep fighting for the reinstatement of the positions and for fair working conditions.
