Introduction

The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) speaks for approximately 200,000 teachers in Canada as their national voice on education and related social issues. CTF membership includes teacher organizations across Canada. The Canadian Teachers’ Federation has a long-standing interest in reducing child poverty. In 1989 CTF issued a report which examined the impact of poverty on children, with particular reference to how poor children fare in elementary and secondary schools. Our policy on children and poverty states that: All children, regardless of family income or circumstances, have the right to the full benefits of publicly funded education. [http://www.ctf-fce.ca/e/programs/pd/children_and_poverty/policy_5_9.asp] CTF is an active member of various coalitions and networks working to enhance the well-being of Canadian children and youth, including the National Alliance for Children and Youth and Campaign 2000. Among CTF’s priorities is to support teachers and teachers’ organizations as strong advocates for social justice, with a particular focus on issues related to child poverty.