Ontario public schools have been underfunded for years – and it’s only gotten worse under the Ford government. Now, more than ever, we need to make sure we all turn out to vote on or before June 2nd! We need to do all we can to elect a government that adequately funds, supports, and values public education.
It is for these reasons that the OC ETFO/FEEO Executive has voted in favour of endorsing the following candidates for the Ontario Provincial Election:
Chandra Pasma (NDP): Ottawa West-Nepean. Chandra lost the election to Conservative candidate Jeremy Roberts by a mere 175 votes in 2018. Although this riding has been held by Liberals in the past, most recently by former Ottawa mayor Bob Chiarelli. Chandra Pasma has worked tirelessly, is making strong in-roads in the riding and now has an excellent chance of beating Jeremy Roberts. This is evident in the recently released Ottawa West-Nepean Mainstreet Poll. It shows that she is the candidate best positioned to defeat the Conservatives in this riding.
Joel Harden (NDP): Ottawa Centre. Joel is a strong NDP MPP and advocate. He has consistently supported Educators on the picket lines and is an icon in the Ottawa Centre Community. He has been a strong advocate for public education on the floor of the legislature and in his role as critic for accessibility and persons with disabilities. He has amplified the voices of educators, families and front-line workers during the pandemic and has always taken strong principled positions.
Lyra Evans (NDP): Ottawa-Vanier. Lyra is currently a trustee with the OCDSB. She has consistently been supportive of educators and students, proposing motions supporting school-based health and wellness supports over the last two year. She has been a strong advocate for youth and was the first trans school trustee to be elected in Canada. She has listened and learned from educators and youth and is a creative and collaborative problem solver who speaks her mind.
Kevin St Denis (NDP): Carleton. Kevin is an occasional teacher and an ETFO member of OCEOTA. He brings a youthful vision to the political landscape and speaks to the needs and concerns of teachers, students and families from his personal experience as an educator.
Tyler Watt (Liberal): Nepean. Tyler is an Acute Care Registered Nurse and understands the front-line challenges faced by healthcare professionals, educators and other frontline workers. Questions have been raised about incumbent Conservative candidate Lisa MacLeod’s handling of the autism file. Since her tenure, the waitlist for autistic children seeking supports has grown from an overwhelming 20,000 in 2018 to a shameful 50,000 in 2022. By raising concerns about cuts to public services, Tyler has an excellent chance of becoming the next MPP for Nepean
If you live in any of these ridings, we encourage you to consider supporting these candidates by personally donating your time or your dollars to their campaigns to ensure we elect a new Public Education friendly government at Queen’s Park.
In Solidarity,
OC ETFO/FEEO