Sylvia Stewart

Ontario Federation of Labour

The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) represents 54 unions and one million workers. It is Canada's largest provincial labour federation. We partner with labour and other social justice organizations to build an economy and strong communities that meet people's needs. The OFL pushes for legislative change in every area that affects people's daily lives, including health, education, workplace safety, minimum wage and other employment standards, human rights, women's rights, workers' compensation, and pensions. We regularly make presentations and submissions to the Ontario government and mount internal and public information and education campaigns. We work with affiliated local unions and labour councils in local and regional areas across the province. Their members elect delegates to OFL conventions which are held every two years to set policy and elect leaders. The 36-member executive board represents a cross-section of the diverse membership and is the governing body between convention. The president, secretary-treasurer, and executive vice-president are full-time officers. There are 33 vice-presidents. representing a cross section of affiliates. Much policy work is done through several issue-based committees which consist of officers, staff, and affiliate representatives. The OFL Executive Council is made up of the Executive Board and one delegate from each of Ontario's 45 labour councils.