WEBSITE: electroy.ca

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1. Why are you the best candidate for trustee?
“The Public school board is the backbone of our education system.” Toronto is, home to people speaking more than 50 languages, A strong public school board, efficient in work and effective in providing quality education is the most needed component of our multicultural city. Strong leaders in every level of government are the corner stone’s of a vibrant society. We have to stop school closures, channel tax payer dollars in the right programs and provide an excellent curriculum to our children. I am the best candidate because I have the leadership skills to be the go-getter at the TDSB.

2. What changes would you like to see at the school board in the next four years?
The changes I would like to see in the next four years will include; Fast and adequate release of needed funding to schools, more classrooms than portables, reduction in high school dropout rates and a rise in College and university entrants across the city. While I advocate greater community involvement in school activities, I emphasize on environmental education and multicultural studies as credit courses in high schools.

3. What is your position on the TDSB consolidating under-enrolled schools and selling off closed school properties?
I support re-investing in our schools; as such under-enrolled schools should be facilitated by the board to offer programs that will boost enrollment. These schools also could be considered for community hubs and to offer CE courses for adults. A school property provides a natural green space to the neighborhood around it, the sale of such a property would result in the possible loss of that green space and the change of demography of that community permanently. The decision to sell a closed school property should be justified with substantiating facts to the community, and should be the absolute last resort.

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?
Negotiations are essential to find common grounds between two parties. While the province has announced its decision, the doors are not completely shut for the TDSB’s unionized employees. I would favor a collective decision that would ensure student success and a stable public education system.

5. Please provide personal details on your bio.
I am an insurance broker, with a CIMA background and the former publisher of, The Ceylon Times newspaper. I have been an outstanding student, student leader, and a sportsman during my school days. Community service has been my greatest passion; as a result I have been a member of the youth service association, and the Boy Scout troop. As a parent and a tutor I fully understand the needs of students and the value of education. I am also a volunteer tutor, teaching computer basics to adult students. “Public board is the backbone of our education system.” Efficient board – Effective education – Stronger Canada is my vision and motto.