OPC Simcoe is a voluntary association of administrators (and aspiring administrators) in Simcoe County. We have a long history – 25 years! We have been a part of OPC provincial since the beginning and look forward to supporting local administrators and moving our voice to the provincial levels.

In 1997, then Minister of Education John Snobelen introduced Bill 160. The bill contained many changes to education finance, program delivery, school board management and the collective bargaining rights of teachers. It also removed principals and vice-principals from membership in the teacher federations, prohibiting their right to unionize or be included in a bargaining unit. Several groups/unions emerged with a voice to fill the gap for administrators. In the end it was decided that administrators should have a separate association (December 1997). 400 Members joined immediately and in April 1998 OPC came into existence. The Ministry of Education asked administrators to choose between remaining in teacher federations and returning to a teacher role or leaving the federation.

During the fall of 1997 and spring of 1998 Principal Mary Ellen Smith (Barrie Central Collegiate) travelled to Toronto on a regular basis to gather updates and information regarding the creation of an association for vice-principals and principals. Principal Wayne Hubbard supported the elementary panels in their conversations and decision making. Administrators in Simcoe County were supportive of the developments by OPC and most administrators remained in their positions and joined the newly formed provincial association.

There were many challenges to overcome, local boards needed to develop an infrastructure to represent members. As well as there were no contracts, nor documentation related to terms and conditions. With some conversations Simcoe’s first Terms and Conditions was developed with the support of Principal Craig Hawkins and a small team.

Following years of intense advocacy and lobbying, in 2013, the OPC, CPCO and ADFO reached the first provincial terms and conditions agreement specifically for principals and vice principals. After many months of talks, planning, strategy sessions and feedback from OPC Members, a historic agreement was reached that recognized the exclusive right of the three associations to represent all of our Members and to take part in good faith discussions with the Crown and Trustee Associations on their behalf. The resulting provincial agreement was the first of its kind to recognize the unique needs and working conditions of every principal and vice-principal in Ontario.

Locally OPC Simcoe has moved forward with creating a constitution, developing an infrastructure to support members professional development and represent members during negotiations both provincially and locally.