World Teacher Day, which takes place Oct. 5, is usually a time for celebration, according to the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation.

This year, it is a time “for us to show our commitment, solidarity and strength” in the face of Bill 115, a press release from the union said.

The theme for this year's World Teacher Day is “Take a Stand for Teachers.” The union said this theme could not be timelier for Ontario's education workers.

“Today, in Ontario, education workers are standing up against Bill 115 which strips them of important labour rights and makes deep cuts to public education,” the press release said.

“As students and parents begin to join us in our fight, we encourage everyone to take a stand for teachers and all education workers in Ontario.”

Educators, by the very nature of their jobs, take a stand every day, the press release said. They stand up for the health and well-being of their students. They stand up for the rights of their students to receive effective education in safe schools. They stand up for healthy communities, teaching peace and tolerance. They stand up for public education, protecting it as a cornerstone of democracy.