Below, please find the latest memorandum from OSSTF Toronto to its members. This post is being shared with ARM Chapter 12 members to inform them of the election activities of OSSTF Toronto members and to provide additional opportunities for ARM members to participate.
Provincial Elections: Important Information Opportunities for Involvement #4 Monday May 2, 2022
Introduction: Wednesday May 4th, 2022 will be the start of the 2022 Ontario Provincial Election, culminating on Thursday June 2nd, 2022. OSSTF is asking all members to VOTE, Volunteer, and Donate in this important election. Campaigns need help to run: please consider giving 4 hours of your time with an endorsed candidate for 4 years of an education-friendly government and opposition.
On Wednesday, OSSTF is asking members to participate in a social media storm when the writ is dropped, focusing on our education platform, and to encourage people to #vote #volunteer #donate. Examples may include:
- I am a <<job classification>>, and I want to elect provincial and local officials who care about strengthening public education;
- I am a <<job classification>>, and I want to elect a Provincial Government that will prioritize equal opportunities for all students;
- I am a <<job classification>>; students deserve better than a backlog of waitlists to work with mental health professionals. We need a government that invests in educational supports to help learners thrive;
- I am a <<job classification>>, and I want to elect MPPs and trustees who are committed to increasing support services for our most vulnerable students;
- I am a <<job classification>>; let’s support students with mental health needs and help them deal with issues like self-harm, bullying, and violence;
Hashtags may include: #OSSTF #VOTE #volunteer #donate #onpoli #onted #ProPublicEd #OurVoteOurVoice #EduVote2022
OSSTF Education Platform – Strengthening Public Education: Rebuild Ontario
Last week’s email started discussing OSSTF’s education platform Strengthen Public Education: Rebuild Ontario. Please check out the entire platform here. Each week leading up to the election, we will highlight one of the 5 pillars, this week focusing on Centring Schools as part of our communities:
A robust publicly-funded education system is dependent on investments in communities and public services. The foundation of economic growth begins with families and communities. When they have direct access to strong public services and supports, families and communities succeed. Strong public services fuel economic growth.
- Investing in education is an investment in Ontario. Services such as affordable child care, universal basic income, and improving access to supports will build stronger, healthier communities
- Lower tuition fees will reduce the financial burden on students and families and increase access to quality publicly-funded post-secondary education
- Supporting the growth of communities. Greater investments in community training and education for newcomers to Canada, as well as improved skill retraining opportunities for people entering or transitioning back into the workforce successfully fuels economic growth
- Permanent, paid sick days for workers in Ontario. Allowing workers the ability to stay home when sick will significantly reduce the spread of illnesses in workplaces and communities
- Paid sick days provide financial security for families while helping to keep communities and workplaces safe
Reaching Out to Members:
OSSTF District 12 Toronto has begun reaching out to members:
- Members will start receiving texts and calls from OSSTF D12 Toronto as well as to get you involved in the election in a variety of ways;
- Education-focused canvasses and events with endorsed candidates have started. Come meet the candidate, get out in the fresh air, meet other OSSTF members. No experience necessary! Not comfortable going door-to-door? Campaigns need help calling constituents, data entry, and literature drops.
- Kristyn Wong-Tam (NDP Toronto Centre) Monday May 2 4:30-7:30pm. Campaign launch @ Saigon Pai 446 Parliament Street (no canvassing). https://volunteer.ontariondp.ca/TOC/rsvp/f94f50b8-76af-43d7-a8df-2844bc1111cf/
- Kate Dupuis (NDP Beaches-East York) Wednesday May 4 4:30-6:30pm. Campaign Launch at campaign office 2108 Danforth Avenue (no canvassing). https://volunteer.ontariondp.ca/BEY/rsvp/ca8dcc91-30ec-46fc-aad1-a6b2a4de9533/
- Bhutila Karpoche (NDP Parkdale-High Park) Saturday May 7 11am-1pm. Meet at campaign office 2112 Dundas Street WestVolunteers can RSVP at the following custom link: https://volunteer.ontariondp.ca/PHP/rsvp/a17ae13b-5dd2-48a4-8152-b325aef8d54f/
- Felicia Samuel (NDP Scarborough-Rouge Park) Saturday May 7 4-6pm. Meet at campaign office 91 Rylander Boulevard. https://volunteer.ontariondp.ca/SRP/rsvp/7cd1702c-427e-4626-8e46-f34d2dc9381d/
- Chris Glover (NDP Spadina-Fort York) Saturday May 7 1:30-3pm campaign launch, followed by 3-5pm education-focused canvass. Meet at campaign office 553 Queen Street West. https://www.reelectchrisglover.ca/launch
- Tom Rakocevic (NDP Humber River-Black Creek) Sunday May 8 1-3pm. Meet at campaign office 3931 Keele Street Come join Tom Rakocevic for an education canvass in Humber River-Black Creek! « Ontario NDP
- Jessica Bell (NPD University-Rosedale) Sunday May 8 4-6pm.Meet at campaign office 653 Bloor Street West https://volunteer.ontariondp.ca/UNR/rsvp/035ec079-570c-4b22-ab41-c3dc1e233e5f/
- More will be added as they are confirmed!
Endorsed D12 Candidates Spotlight:
A continuing feature of locally-endorsed candidates for the upcoming Provincial election by District 12.
Chris Glover is the NDP MPP for the newly-formed riding of Spadina-Fort York, having been elected its first MPP in 2018. He is the Official Opposition Critic for Technology Development and Innovation. As an MPP, Chris worked on reversing OSAP cuts, advocating for schools and daycares, reducing gun violence, and expanding co-op housing to address the affordable housing crisis. Before his election, Chris was a Trustee for the Toronto District School Board for Ward 2 (Etobicoke Centre), first elected in 2010, where he advocated for special needs students, the backlog of school facilities funding, and strongly believes in bike safety. He was an adjunct professor in equity studies at York University, and sat on the Toronto Board of Health. Please reach out to Chris here.
Jessica Bell is the NDP MPP for the riding of University-Rosedale. First elected in 2018, she serves as the Official Opposition Critic for Housing, Tenant Rights, and Urban Planning. She is a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Prior to her election, she was the founding Executive Director of TTCriders, advocating for better service and lower fare for TTC riders. She has been a lecturer at X University, a former director of the California Food & Justice Coalition, and an advocate for environmental justice throughout North America. Please reach out to Jessica here.
Tom Rakocevic is the NDP MPP for Humber River-Black Creek. First elected in 2018, Tom is currently the NDP Transit critic, and formerly the critic for Government Services and Consumer Protection and Auto Insurance. A life-long resident of the riding, Tom has been involved in many community initiatives over the last quarter-century. Prior to being elected, Tom was the Executive Assistant for his local Toronto city councillor, where he helped lead projects to improve services, community safety, public spaces, and infrastructure. Please reach out to Tom here.
Jonathan Tsao is the Liberal candidate for the riding of Don Valley North. Born and raised in the riding, Jonathan was named City Councillor in 2018 for Ward 33 (Don Valley), representing the riding until the next municipal election. He has worked at all levels of government, having worked as a Senior Advisor to the Ontario Government, at the Ontario Investment Office, and has represented the province on international trade missions. Jonathan currently serves as a member of the Board of Management for the Toronto Zoo, and on the Board of Directors of Yee Hong, a long-term care organization. With an education background in economics, political sciences, and the arts, he believes in the value of education, and giving back to the community. Please reach out to Jonathan here.
Towards 2022 And Beyond:
Please check out the provincial OSSTF election resource here for lots more information about how you may become involved!
You can help by Voting, Volunteering, and Donating to education-friendly candidates. For further information, please reach out to your election organizer Richardo Harvey richardo.harvey@osstf.ca.
OSSTF Toronto 1482 Bathurst St Suite 300, Toronto
Canada