WEBSITE: www.sonnyyeung.com

EMAIL: vote@sonnyyeung.com

PHONE: 416-839-5568

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1. Why are you the best candidate for trustee?
I care about the future and well-being of our children. Educational excellence is the key to ensure all kids today have equal opportunity providing the educational tools they need to succeed. This would include promoting practical life-building skills; access to technology, sports, and arts; working to solve dropout rates; and improving the three “R”s for all students within our diverse, multicultural society. As an independent Toronto School Board Trustee, with a business background, fresh energy and innovative ideas, I will work towards balanced budgets by cutting waste at the TDSB level. Scarborough deserves a strong voice for public education.

2. What changes would you like to see at the school board in the next four years?
I would like to see a change in the TDSB funding formula to deal with the higher costs of running schools and fixing an aging infrastructure. More teachers, smaller classrooms. Return of sports, art, music and afterschool programming. Invest in special education and ESL for our growing multicultural student population. Include curriculum encouraging students to develop valuable communication, teambuilding, and anti-violence skills. Turn empty schools into community hubs. Transform schools into sustainable, cost-saving, environmentally friendly institutions. With a business background, I will deal with TDSB’s fiscal squandering and redirect our tax dollars to create a better school system.

3. What is your position on the TDSB consolidating under-enrolled schools and selling off closed school properties?
I would immediately stop school closures in our neighbourhoods. Selling off our school assets is not a viable long-term solution, but rather a desperate short-term attempt to balance the TDSB books. Empty schools and classrooms utilized as a central neighbourhood hubs working in tandem with our community stakeholders, is not only fiscally responsible, but also an affirmative model for future generations. The school “community hub” model is the viable solution – one that is meaningful, all inclusive and welcomes families and community members. Let’s work together to encourage the constructive development of our neighbourhoods and for the future of our children.

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?
This type of thinking exemplifies the provincial government’s lack of accountability towards the ballooning provincial deficit. I have no ties to the unions, but do wholeheartedly appreciate our children’s teachers and school employees as the front line workers which, like all citizens, deserve an equitable wage and job security. Negotiations with all TDSB school employees should not be swayed by the provincial government’s irresponsible spending habits. The solution here is to reduce the provincial government’s outrageous third party contract fees, excessive salaries and bonuses paid out to executives, not to penalize the people who teach and care for our children.

5. Please provide personal details on your bio.
I am a first generation Canadian, the son of Chinese immigrants. Born in Toronto and a Scarborough resident for over 16 years, I graduated from the public school system in 1994. I encourage all kids to finish school and participate in community building. I hold a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with a Minor in Finance (Ryerson University) and have completed the Canadian Securities Course. I will bring in fiscal responsibility, accountability, and inclusive community stakeholder participation. My door will always be open. Together, we will be proud of our schools again. Let’s give kids the education they deserve to succeed!