On January 31, 2011, ETFO President Sam Hammond participated in the pre-budget hearings held by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. The president encouraged the government reduce the deficit at a slower pace in order to sustain investments in key public services such as health and education, and programs that cushion low-income and unemployed Ontarians from the worst effects of the fragile economy.

Hammond stated that maintaining a strong, vibrant education system is central to achieving longer term economic growth and stability. He recommended that education spending on student assessment initiatives be diverted to core programs that will make more lasting contributions to the quality of public education.  These core programs include smaller classes, specialist teachers and teacher librarians, and the new Early Learning Program.