Report of the Education Committee Chair

Education in Ontario remains in a flux with funding issues resulting in classrooms short in teachers, support workers, supplies and cuts to programs that lead to success in school. We need to continue to put pressure on this government to make quality education for all students a priority.

OSAP remains an important issue in post-secondary education. Although students are now living with this reality we still need to advocate on their behalf to make post-secondary education financially accessible for all students and their families.

Over the past few years, I have become very interested in School Food Programs. Since the commitment from the Federal Government to create Canada’s School Food Program to provide $1 billion over 5 years in schools across the country, to reduce hunger and improve health and learning outcomes, many organizations are committed to bring healthy food to Ontario schools. Unfortunately, Ontario remains near the bottom in the financial support they provide for School Food programs compared to other provinces.

During the summer I was pleased to be part of a School Food Summer Learning Lab at Lakehead University in Orillia in partnership with the Ontario Coalition for School Food and the Sharing Place Food Centre. It was a learning experience in the gardens, kitchen and classrooms. to connect food, education and health. Our conversations pointed towards the need for nutritious food in schools, and the on-going need for food literacy activities to address the increasing levels of food insecurity in our communities and strengthen equitable school food programs.

I have just outlined a few issues in Ontario Education. I will continue to advocate for all these issues. Our youth deserve to feel safe, supported and encouraged in their quest for a good start in life. Children who are in school and have nutritious food available are more likely to stay in school and learn.

I look forward to working with all Ontario Council CFUW Clubs and I always welcome your input and interest.

Kind regards,

Wendy Taylor

CFUW Ontario Council Education Chair