OPSBA President Laurie French represented Ontario’s public school boards at the Canadian School Boards Association’s annual Congress, held July 6-9, 2016, in Winnipeg in conjunction with the National Trustee Gathering on Aboriginal Education.
President French reported on current and upcoming Ontario education issues during the Cross-Canada Check-In (pictured to the left), including updates on collective bargaining and labour relations, the whole child and student well-being and First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education.
Speakers at this year’s Congress included Joseph Boyden, Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, Big Daddy Taz, Kevin Lamoureux, Fred Kelly, Elder Harry Bone and Michael Redhead Champagne.
President French also took time to formally sign a petition supporting Bill C-241, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (school authorities), a federal Private Member’s Bill that would legislate a full refund of the GST to school boards. The petition can be signed here.
