Toronto, June 3, 2022 – The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) will continue its strong working relationship with the newly re-elected Progressive Conservative government under Premier Doug Ford to ensure our schools and students continue to be provided with a high-quality, publicly funded education system that provides universally accessible and equitable opportunities for all children.
“OPSBA represents the largest democratically elected trustee body in Ontario with a specific responsibility for the education and well-being of children and youth,” said OPSBA President Cathy Abraham. “We’ll be using the coming months to continue to push and advocate for the priorities that matter most to our member boards and look to ensure there is a strong focus from this government on maintaining our world class public education system.”
As a non-partisan association, OPSBA has positive and mutually respectful working relationships with members of provincial parliament and staff from all parties and other education partners in the province. These relationships help us to represent the voice of our member boards on the diverse range of issues that affect students and communities to our provincial government.
“School boards across the province have welcomed the return to in-person learning, and at this time of year our trustees are looking forward to sharing student successes with celebrations and graduations,” President Abraham said. “We are hopeful the upcoming school year will bring stability to the public education system after the many COVID-related disruptions since March 2020.”
OPSBA’s multi-year strategic priorities are the foundation on which our advocacy is based, and outline what public school boards and trustees would like to see in the future for education in Ontario. OPSBA’s priorities are:
Advocating for the Whole Child and Student Well-Being
- Advancing Reconciliation: First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education
- Supporting Trustees as Leaders in Public Education
- Advocating for Sustainable and Equitable Education Funding
- Strengthening Positive Labour Relations
The Association looks forward to mutual, ongoing, meaningful dialogue and consultation with ministers and staff of the newly re-elected provincial government on decisions that impact the more than 1.3 million English public elementary and secondary school students in Ontario.
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The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association represents English public district school boards and public school authorities across Ontario. The Association advocates on behalf of the best interests and needs of the public school system in Ontario. OPSBA is seen as the credible voice of public education in Ontario and is routinely called on by the provincial government for input and advice on legislation and the impact of government policy directions.
For more information, please contact:
Shane Gonsalves
Managing Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs
Ontario Public School Boards’ Association
sgonsalves@opsba.org
T.J. Goertz
Senior Communications and Policy Officer
Ontario Public School Boards’ Association
TGoertz@opsba.org
