Chris Moise

Over the last few weeks, many of you have reached out to express your concerns and frustration with the back-to-school plans. I share your concerns and frustration.

As Trustees we have been meeting weekly since June to plan for what back to school will look like. In partnership with Staff and Toronto Public Health, we have consistently pushed back on the Provincial Government's plans and advocated for the health and safety of all of our students and staff.

Unfortunately, our original plan to welcome every student and staff back in-person with reduced class sizes to accommodate physical distancing as recommended by Toronto Public Health was not approved by the Provincial Government.

Premier Doug Ford and Minister Stephen Leece have not been equal partners in this unprecedented time, they have provided no additional funding and have blocked all of our attempts to reduce class sizes in all of our schools. We are doing the best we can with the financial constraints we are under.

Toronto has been shocked by Premier Doug Ford’s move to slash Toronto City Council from 47 to 25 councillors in the middle of a municipal election, without any notice or consultation. Even now, Bill-5 is working its way to a third reading at the Ontario Legislature and could be law within days.

Our downtown neighbourhoods have been intensifying at unprecedented rates, without the investments needed to serve a growing population and address the crises before us. Now Doug Ford is mandating that Torontonians have less representation and less access to our School Board Trustees and City Councillors. Toronto deserves better and now is the time to meet and discuss what happens next.

I'd like to begin by thanking you very much for giving me the opportunity to serve as your public school Trustee and represent you at the Toronto District School Board. It has been a tremendous honour and privilege and I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish together.