WEBSITE: www.nadeemjilani.com

EMAIL: info@nadeemjilani.com

PHONE: 647-285 1309

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1. Why are you the best candidate for trustee?
I strongly believe that a successful education system will create a chain reaction by producing good students, shaping them into an effective community member and ultimately adding success towards the future of our country. I will utilize my natural skills of effective communication, negotiation, and patience along with my strong professionally developed skills of accounting and finance to deal with the current challenges faced by TDSB. My ability to be a good listener and problem solver will make me the strongest link between the community and the government. I will restore the broken trust in trustees by being transparent and fair.

2. What changes would you like to see at the school board in the next four years?
* Learn to stand firm during negotiation process and get results in the best interest of the community and education system;
* Join forces with all other school boards to put pressure to correct funding formula;
* Working in harmony with all other groups and be an effective and timely communicator of policies to the community;
* Bring creativity to the thinking process and use each Trustee’s potential to its maximum;
* Most important of all change Trustee’s image in public eye and restoring the trust by putting the interest of our children and accountability towards parent at the highest level.

3. What is your position on the TDSB consolidating under-enrolled schools and selling off closed school properties?
School closure due to falling enrollment and then consolidation may be a short cited and obvious decision. Issues to consider are;
* Did we explore all other available alternatives?
* Did we consider the physical and emotional inconvenience to the students and their families?
* Did we consider the effect of extra pressure on the resources of absorbing school?
* Has a compensation policy been considered and developed for the absorbing school?
Furthermore, subsequent sale of any surplus school property is not acceptable, instead more beneficial and fiscally responsible alternatives should be explored to generate a regular revenue streams.

4. Do you support the province’s decision to try to negotiate two-year, no wage increase contracts with the school board’s unionized employees when existing agreements expire?
I strongly oppose any government intervention and advice not to follow their recommendations blindly. We all know the sub-standard decisions that are made at all levels of government. The terms of their deal very conveniently coincide with their term in office, leaving Trustees scrambling for solutions to clean up their mess. Another example is to allow TDSB to defer capital expenses. As a person with sound financial background, I oppose short term delaying tactics and would like to give powers to Trustees to make sound financial decision after getting a fair share of their revenue and set an example for others.

5. Please provide personal details on your bio.
Nadeem Jilani, his wife and two children live in one of the most vibrant communities in Toronto, namely, Toronto-Danforth. They understand the issues that other families experience, regarding the education and well-being of their children. As a community minded parent and businessman with vast accounting experience, Nadeem is convinced that he can make a solid contribution to help the TDSB to improve the current challenging state of affairs. Mr. Jilani actively supports numerous community organizations and charities and is currently a director on the board of the “Pape Children House” which supports a learning environment, respect, enrichment, security and parental involvement.