Latest news with #MaritStiles
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
NDP slams Ontario school board takeovers as ‘power grab,' say parents have no voice
Opposition critics are slamming the Ontario government's decision to take over four Ontario school boards, including the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), calling the move a 'power grab' that silences elected trustees. 'Doug Ford is playing political games with our kids' futures instead of focusing on the future of our schools and what's best for students,' Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said. Stiles and a coalition of teacher unions and trustees held a news conference Thursday to call attention to the move. She accused Education Minister Paul Calandra of 'forcing through a political power grab' that shuts parents' voices out of the classroom. The province announced on June 27 that it would be appointing supervisors to take over four school boards, citing investigations into their finances. In addition to the two Toronto boards, the province also appointed supervisors to the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB). The ministry claimed the boards had 'failed' in their responsibility to ensure student success and said it planned to address 'concerns regarding growing deficits, depleting reserves and ongoing cases of mismanagement.' A report on the TDSB released by Ontario's auditor general in December found that 'financial and capital resources are not consistently allocated in the most cost effective or efficient way' at the board. However Stiles said the decision 'was about control' rather than improving schools. 'This decision had nothing to do with improving our classrooms and everything to do with control,' she said. 'It's about shutting out families. It's about a power grab, and it's about political gains and what Ontario schools actually need is real investments.' Trustee says parents don't have voice now TDSB Trustee Matias de Dovitiis also spoke at the news conference. He said he's been instructed by the ministry not to respond to complaints from the community while the board is under supervision. 'The role of trustee is to be the voice for a community. So it's not about the individuals that are currently elected; it's about a democratic tradition that goes back to 1849,' de Dovitiis said. 'We've had elected trustees in this province before Canada became a country.' Chandra Pasma, the NDP's shadow minister for education, said trustees provide an important link between parents and the school system. 'What we've seen in those provinces that have done away with elected trustees is that there's incredible parent frustration because they've lost their ability to have a say in their children's school system,' Pasma said. De Dovitiis said the province has chronically underfunded schools, putting them in a position where they're being asked to slash services the community wants. 'The supervisor created a report and gave it to the minister. It said, basically, we didn't follow 40 per cent of the recommendations from staff,' de Dovitiis said. 'The recommendations from staff that we didn't follow were to close down pools, fire principals, fire safety monitors, to reduce outdoor education and to do away with the many things that make school education, public education better for our kids. We weren't prepared to do that because we represent our communities, and our communities don't want us to do that.' Michelle Teixeira, president of the Toronto branch of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF), also spoke at the news conference and said the move is a distraction from underfunding. 'It is an affront to local democracy and community voice,' she said. 'The recent takeover of four school boards – including the largest in Canada, the TDSB – is evidence of this. The investigations into these school boards were nothing more than a ruse designed to distract from the fact that they are willfully underfunding education in this province.' She cited a report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, which estimated Ontario underfunded education by $6.3 billion since 2018. That report pegged underfunding for the TDSB since 2018 at nearly $900 million. She also noted that the TDSB continues to make up a large portion of the school repair backlog in the province, which stands at around $17 billion. 'Focus on your mandate, or step aside' In an email to CP24, Education Minister Paul Calandra said he's unconcerned with the opinions of trustees. 'I am focused on listening to parents and teachers about how we can set students up for success, and less concerned about the opinions of trustees that have failed in their most basic responsibility: putting students first,' Calandra wrote. 'We are restoring accountability in Ontario's education system and putting all trustees on notice: focus on your mandate, or step aside.' He accused the opposition parties of defending 'broken boards' and opposing accountability. 'While they fight to support out-of-touch school board trustees, we will fight for students, parents, and teachers,' Calandra wrote. Calandra's office did not say what process parents should follow for communicating their concerns while school boards are under supervision.
CBC
10-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Opposition calls Ontario school board takeover 'power grab,' as trustees say they've received little direction
Social Sharing Since the Ontario government took over the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) two weeks ago, elected trustee Matias de Dovitiis says he's only received two emails with directions from his province-appointed supervisor. One of those directions was to refrain from communicating with the community members who elected him, de Dovitiis, who represents Humber River-Black Creek, said at a news conference Thursday. "To think that we can take away those 22 community voices … and just put out a 1-800 number and have people be able to navigate this massive institution is just not realistic," he said. De Dovitiis was joined by Ontario New Democratic Party Leader Marit Stiles, as well as education advocates, parents and other trustees at Fairmount Park, where they spoke out against the Progressive Conservative government's decision. Last month, the province appointed supervisors to the TDSB, the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board. Since the takeover, de Dovitiis said that parents are being redirected to a general email, which he's not sure is getting them answers. Support is starting to disappear, said Kamin Peyrow, a mom of two boys, one of whom is a kindergartener in a wheelchair. "I voted in my election for my local school board trustee. And now I feel like my vote has become silenced under supervision," she said. "This shouldn't be a fight. All children deserve to be supported consistently and with dignity." The move to take over school boards came after Education Minister Paul Calandra said financial investigations into the boards showed growing deficits and depletion of reserves. The province is working to restore accountability in the education system, Calandra told CBC Toronto in an emailed statement Thursday. "I am focused on listening to parents and teachers about how we can set students up for success, and less concerned about the opinions of trustees that have failed in their most basic responsibility: putting students first," he said. He also said the New Democratic and Liberal parties are choosing to side with trustees, rather than students. "They protect broken boards and oppose accountability. While they fight to support out-of-touch school board trustees, we will fight for students, parents, and teachers," he said. But NDP Leader Marit Stiles called the move a "power grab," accusing Premier Doug Ford of "playing political games with our kids' futures." "Now local schools are being run by inexperienced political insiders, while elected local school board trustees are forbidden from talking to parents about their kids' education," Stiles said. CBC Toronto emailed Calandra's office several questions Thursday, that included asking him to respond to Stiles' claims the takeover was a power grab, but the minister did not directly answer them in his statement. Ottawa MPP Chandra Pasma, who is the NDP's education critic, claimed the appointed supervisors are affiliated with the Progressive Conservatives. "They appointed four supervisors with no expertise in education whatsoever, with no experience in children's psychology or well-being," she said. "Their only qualifications are that they are Conservative insiders, that they've made donations, that they've run for the Conservatives before." Rick Byers, who was appointed to supervise the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, is a former PC MPP. His background lies in finance and auditing. Ottawa-Carleton District School Board supervisor Robert Plamondon ran federally for the Progressive Conservatives in 1988 and currently serves on several audit and governance committees. Frank Benedetto, who was appointed supervisor of the TCDSB, is a legal professional who works with Ontario Environment Minister Todd McCarthy's private law offices.
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Residents, Ont. NDP leader rally against Dresden landfill
Residents continue to fight against a proposed Dresden landfill. CTV Windsor's Robert Lothian has an update. A community effort to keep a landfill out of Dresden was met with support on Thursday by the leader of the Ontario NDP. Marit Stiles backed the cause at a rally against the landfill and the provincial government's passing of Bill 5. 'This is a prime example of a government and a premier making another promise and commitment and breaking it,' Stiles told those at the rally in Dresden. Led by Stiles, a crowd of more than 100 people chanted 'kill Bill 5,' which paved the way for a long-dormant landfill to be revived without the need for an Environmental Assessment. 070325 Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles met with Dresden residents and stakeholders against the revival of the dump site. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) The Ford Government pushed through the 'Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act,' at the tail end of the spring sitting. On Thursday, representatives from Walpole Island First Nation, the Kent Federation of Agriculture and PSAC spoke openly against the legislation. 'You are going about this in bad faith, and you are not proving to us that you are a trusted proponent,' said Leela Thomas, Chief of Walpole Island First Nation. York1 Environmental Solutions is seeking to revive an old landfill site on Irish School Road on the northern tip of Dresden, supposedly for a construction and demolition materials recycling facility. Rhonda Jubenville, the area representative for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent said they have had little correspondence with York1. 'They haven't applied for any zoning applications or anything, so we've heard zero, nil, nothing,' Jubenville said. In recent weeks, construction equipment was dropped off at the landfill site. Chatham-Kent has instructed by-law officers to monitor the site for any potential infractions. 070325 Chatham-Kent residents Wendy Lewis, left, and Dawn Ostler attended a rally in Dresden against a proposed landfill. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) 'I do worry for the people of Dresden and the surrounding area, along with the impact of the land and farms, the tributaries like the Sydenham and Molly's Creek and the air and all of the wildlife who call these places their home,' Jubenville noted. Absent from the crowd was Steve Pinsonneault, the Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP, who represents Dresden. Pinsonneault has previously spoken out against the proposed landfill on social media but has faced backlash for his frequent silence since the Ford government's reversal . He chose to abstain from voting on Bill 5 rather than casting a vote against it. 'Steve Pinsonneault, show up and do your job buddy, we're waiting,' yelled Stefan Premdas of Dresden C.A.R.E.D, standing beside Stiles. A spokesperson for the MPP's office told CTV News in an emailed statement Pinsonneault had funding announcements and scheduled committee meetings in London. 'While he was not able to be there in person, MPP Pinsonneault remains engaged with the concerns raised by the community and continues to monitor the situation closely,' said Michelle Dwyer, his executive assistant. While the legislation has passed, Stiles encouraged residents to continue their fight against the landfill until it is permanently stopped. '[Doug Ford] introduces a bill, he lies, he lies again, and then we build the public pressure, and he repeals the bill, so this is what we've got to do again,' Stiles said.
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
NDP leader talks strikes, trade in Windsor trip
NDP leader Marit Stiles speaks to WSIB and Canadian Hearing Services workers on strike along Giles Boulevard in Windsor, Ont. on July 2, 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) Over a two-day stop in Windsor, the leader of the Ontario NDP focused on job action and improving employment. Marit Stiles met with business leaders on Wednesday morning, before stopping at picket lines in the community. Stiles along with Lisa Gretzky, MPP for Windsor West, heard about the employment challenges which have long-plagued Windsor, intensified by the often-changing U.S. tariffs. 'Windsor-Essex is feeling the impact of the threats of Donald Trump to jobs here, to the future jobs and opportunities of this region, more intensely than anywhere else in the country,' Stiles said at a press conference. Marit Stiles NDP in Windsor Marit Stiles, leader of the Ontario NDP, talks with a striking WSIB worker in Windsor, Ont. on July 2, 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) Business stakeholders, including the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, pitched their ideas to help improve the labour market. In May, Windsor's 10.8 per cent unemployment rate ranked second worst among Census Metropolitan Areas, only behind Peterborough. Much of the discussions surrounded public transit, recognizing credentials achieved outside Ontario, electric vehicle incentives, and retaining employers. Stiles said the province must 'get back in the business' of providing funding to municipalities for public transit. 'Because people, as we said, need to be able to get from point A to point B, and when we're talking about a lot of the workers that we're talking about here today, are not people who are necessarily going to be able to afford a vehicle to get somewhere right away,' Stiles said. Stiles wants to see the government develop regional job strategies to help improve employment. Job action At picket lines in pockets of Windsor, Stiles stopped by to give support for workers, who, in many cases, have been off the job for weeks. More than 100 people supporting Canadian Hearing Services and the WSIB gathered along Giles Boulevard to greet Stiles. The former went on strike in late April, while the latter began job action in mid-May. Marit Stiles NDP in Windsor NDP leader Marit Stiles speaks to WSIB and Canadian Hearing Services workers on strike along Giles Boulevard in Windsor, Ont. on July 2, 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) 'Workers know that to do the work they do well, serve the community, the vulnerable community that they serve, they have to fight for that,' Stiles said. 'I'm appalled that the government hasn't, you know, gotten involved and said, 'Get back to the table and get a fair agreement with these workers.'' Later in the day, Stiles stopped at the Best Western on Windsor's waterfront, where workers have been on the picket line for more than a month. Stiles will continue her cross-province travel on Thursday in Dresden, where a rally is planned to protest Bill 5, which paves the way for a dump in the community.
Global News
24-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
Cost of Scarborough Subway Extension almost doubles from initial estimate
The cost of extending the Toronto subway further into Scarborough has almost doubled, according to new estimates, which show the price of the project now stands north of $10 billion. The Scarborough Subway Extension was first announced in 2019 as part of Ontario Premier Doug Ford's 'transportation vision,' alongside projects like the Ontario Line and an extension to the Eglinton Crosstown West. The three-stop underground route effectively replaces the now-shuttered Scarborough RT and takes the subway almost eight km further into Scarborough. Provincial transit agency Metrolinx's initial business case for the project pegged the cost at roughly $5.5 billion. Figures disclosed in an update for its latest board meeting show the route is now expected to cost $10.2 billion. The agency stressed in a statement that the 2019 price was only for the construction of the route and didn't include operating costs like lifecycle maintenance of the route, which have now been added to the tally. Story continues below advertisement 'As we do with all major construction projects, the initial cost estimate ($5.5B) announced in 2019 was just the estimated construction cost of the project,' a Metrolinx spokesperson said. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The $10.2B value includes construction costs along with additional project costs, like property acquisition, technical engineering advisers, installation, testing and commissioning of all systems equipment, and interconnection with existing TTC systems.' They said the total cost also now captures design, supply, testing and commissioning of the track, as well as an extra track running east from Kennedy Station. Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles, however, said the increase was concerning. 'Ten billion dollars is not spare change, it's people's hard-earned money,' she said in a statement. 'We need a public inquiry into Metrolinx. The culture of secrecy, wasted dollars, and delays cannot continue. Something has to change.' The Scarborough Subway Extension's cost increase follows a similar pattern to the government's signature Ontario Line. That line was unveiled alongside the subway extension in 2019 and priced at $10.9 billion. By 2022, once contracts had been handed out, the estimate rose to between $17 and $19 billion. Last June, the number increased again to $27.2 billion. The latest estimate included property acquisition and all operating costs, like the subway extension. Story continues below advertisement The Metrolinx spokesperson said both projects were part of a historic transit expansion in and around Toronto. 'The government of Ontario is carrying out the largest subway expansion in Canadian history to combat gridlock which costs Ontario's economy $56 billion every single year,' they said.
