In an increasingly polarized world, where even world leaders increasingly use language that promotes division and hate, our children deserve to learn in public schools where everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. I commit to supporting policies and priorities that uphold human rights.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms reflects a fundamental Canadian value: that every person is entitled to equality and freedom from discrimination. Our schools should be places where those values are lived every day. No child or member of our school community should be bullied, excluded, or made to feel unsafe because of their race, national or ethnic origin, religion or lack of religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or gender identity.
Our public schools are microcosms of Canadian society. Children will grow up alongside people who look different from them, believe different things, speak different languages at home, and come from different backgrounds. I believe it is detrimental to attempt to erase those differences; instead, children should be taught how to navigate differences and live together with respect.
I support:
- Upholding the rights of disabled students to a meaningful education. Too often, I hear from parents that their child with special needs is not able to access consistent, uninterrupted supportive education in the OCDSB. I know the toll that advocating for a child with special needs takes on families —for most of my childhood, my mother spent her time advocating for my autistic brother to have the supports he needed. I commit to listening, advocating, and supporting policy and resource allocation that address barriers to access for special education students.
- Walking the pathway of reconciliation. The Chiefs of Ontario state that 60% of Indigenous students graduate high school within 4-5 years, compared to 89% of the general population over the same timeframe. I commit to supporting policies and programs that address systemic barriers for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students and commit to listening and learning from Indigenous voices in our community. More information on the systemic gaps can be found here: First Nations youth: Experiences and outcomes in secondary and postsecondary learning
- Alternate, Alternative, and Gifted Programs. Not every child or young adult learns in the same style. I understand the role these unique schools and programs hold in our community, and will fight to preserve them.
- The 2SLGBTQ+ community. I will support policies that uphold the human rights of members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in our schools.
- Freedom of Religion. With a PhD specializing in the sociology of religion, I believe that part of our Canadian mosaic is ensuring that all faith communities can safely dress, pray, and live according to the tenets of their faith in public schools.
- Freedom from Religion. Likewise, students who are non-religious have a right to hold no religion, no beliefs, or to be atheist or agnostic. Public schools should not teach religious doctrine as truth.
I hope to earn your vote on October 26, 2026!
It is a question I get a lot on the doorstep, and it is a fair one! Most of us do not think about the school board trustee role until something happens at our child's school that makes us sit up and pay attention, but it's an incredibly important job.