June 13, 2008 OCSTA's 2008 Queen's Park Day

On May 27th OCSTA staff and trustees, including members of the Association’s board of directors, met with MPPs at Queen’s Park to help raise the profile of Catholic education among our elected provincial officials.

OCSTA president, Paula Peroni, was welcomed by the Speaker of the House prior to the morning session. During Members’ Statements in the House, members of all three parties rose to recognize OCSTA’s presence and acknowledge the excellent work being done by Catholic trustees and schools across and by OCSTA.

The Association is grateful for the support and participation of the following delegation team members:

Paula Peroni, OCSTA President, Sudbury CDSB; Nancy Kirby, OCSTA Vice President, CDSB of Eastern Ontario; Wayne Buchholtz, Chair, Waterloo CDSB; Kathy Burtnik, OCSTA Director, Niagara CDSB; Tony da Silva, OCSTA Director, Dufferin-Peel CDSB; Peter DelGuidice, OCSTA Director, Northeastern CDSB; Dino Guiliani, OCSTA Director, York CDSB; Don Houle, Chair, Nipissing-Parry Sound CDSB; Angela Kennedy, OCSTA Director, Toronto CDSB; Catherine Leblanc-Miller, Chair, Toronto CDSB; and Linda Ward, OCSTA Director, St. Clair CDSB.

Formal meetings were held with 20 MPP’s and one MPP’s staffer representing all three political parties, including the following:

Liberals: Honourable Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Community Safety & Correctional Services; Honourable Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion; Honourable Brad Duguid, Minister of Labour; Charles Sousa; Sophia Aggelonitis; and political staff for Reza Moridi.

PC: Sylvia Jones; ; Frank Klees; ; ; ; Joyce Savoline; and John O’Toole.

NDP Caucus: Rosario Marchese; Cheri DiNova; Andrea Horwath; Peter Tabuns; Michael Prue; Paul Miller; and France Gelinas; New MPP.

The day was capped off by a reception attended by MPPs and our featured guest speaker, The Hon. Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education. Minister Wynne reiterated the government’s support for Catholic schools. She affirmed the excellent work done in Catholic schools in support of the government’s education agenda and expressed her appreciation for the Catholic system’s achievement in having the first PDT framework agreement. Feedback from all who participated in this full day event was very positive.

The Association is looking forward to initiating the next phase of its Government Relations strategy by encouraging boards across the province to launch a local lobby effort in early September, to coincide with the high profile “back to school” season.

In addition to preparing speaking points and other materials for boards to use at their meetings with MPPs, OCSTA is also planning special regional training workshops to be offered during the summer to board Chairs and Directors of Education. More information will be announced once workshop dates are confirmed.

Following are pictures from OCSTA's 2008 Queen's Park Day: The Hon. Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education and Paula Peroni, OCSTA President, Sudbury CDSB.

Nancy Kirby, OCSTA Vice President, CDSB of Eastern Ontario and , MPP (Lib).

Liz Sandals, MPP (Lib); John Stunt, OCSTA Executive Director; and , MPP (Lib).

Aimee Gerdevich, Chair, Provincial Parent Board and Carol Devine, OCSTA Director of Legislative and Political Affairs.

Maria Van Bommel, MPP (Lib) and Linda Ward, OCSTA Director, St. Clair CDSB.

Sharon McMillan, OCSTA Co-ordinator, Communications & Media Relations; Peter DelGuidice, OCSTA Director, Northeastern CDSB; Christine Elliott, MPP (PC); and Linda Ward, OCSTA Director, St. Clair CDSB.

Minister Wynne and Rosario Marchese, MPP (NDP).

Fr. Patrick Fitzpatrick, OCSTA Chaplain and Sr. Joan Cronin, Executive Director, Institute for Catholic Education.

Kathy Burtnik, OCSTA Director, Niagara CDSB and , MPP (PC).

Helena Jaczek, MPP (Lib) and Dr. Ashleigh Molloy, Board Member, OAPCE

Cheri DiNova, MPP (NDP) and Carol Mitchell, MPP (Lib).

Don Houle, Chair, Nipissing Parry Sound CDSB; Leeanna Pendergast, MPP (Lib); and Wayne Buchholtz, Chair, Waterloo CDSB.

Next year's Catholic Education Week will be held May 4 to May 8, 2009.

The theme for CEW 2009 is: Catholic Education: Good News for All

Sub themes: 1. Embracing Hope 2. Celebrating with Joy 3. Building Community 4. Growing in Integrity 5. Living in Gratitude

For more information please contact Noel Martin, OCSTA Director of Catholic Education, (416) 932-9460, ext. 25 or email: [email protected].