On June 9, 2026, approximately 50 teachers from John Abbott College – members of JACFA – went to the meeting of the College’s Board of Governors. Our intention was to inform the Board members of the toxic work climate at the College, and our fears that our concerns were not brought to their attention. We wanted to distribute a package of documents to the members of the Board, but the chair of the Board forbade us to do so,citing Board policy. The JACFA president then requested to read a prepared statement to the members of the Board, which was also forbidden by the chair. As a result, the JACFA members present protested that decision, requesting that our voice be heard, to which the reply from the chair of the Board was to declare the Board meeting would be held in camera, demanding that the teachers leave. In a context where JACFA was forced to bring a grievance about Freedom of Speech to arbitration, such rulings by the chair of the Board are concerning.
After further protests from the teachers present, our president was allowed to read her statement – despite someone having called security on us. We are thankful that our statement has been heard, but we feel this is not enough.
For the sake of transparency, here are the documents we wanted to share with the members of the Board. We invite you to peruse them and check periodically as some documents may be added later, after we’ve verified the legality of posting them. However, should board members wish to have access to any missing document, they can contact JACFA by email at jacfa@johnabbott.qc.ca and we will gladly send them.
Statement to the Board, presented by JACFA president Maria Mastorakos (June 9, 2026)
Open letter to the Board, signed by over 225 John Abbott College teachers (June 5, 2026)
Letter to the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board (September 2025)