Campaign Trails - Issue 3
It was another great week on the campaign trail including a meeting with Peterborough council candidates. Our first local canvas with neighbours on our street as well as the launch of our new campaign phone number!
Jack canvassed Bethune Street in Peterborough this past week meeting with constituents and hearing what matters to voters.
Bill 101 and Arts Education
The best conversation I had at the doors this week revolved around the Provincial Bill 101 taking effect in schools in September. The primary concern was the new attendance policy and how it could affect neurodivergent students.
As someone who is in the process of undergoing autism and ADHD assessments, this concern is not just a political talking point, it is a concern that reaches me personaly.
While this is a provincial law that trustees can not change, as your trustee I would ensure that students with IEP’s and others in the process of getting them are given full benefits of the excused absences that the law allows for. I will also work with parents to be a voice with our local MP’s to voice community concerns.
I also walked by the AGO recently and I thought, “Who will be the ones to fill this gallery’s walls?” The more I thought, I thought of yet another reason to ensure arts programs remain funded. The next artist, designer, photographer or sculptor to fill the halls of the AGP are sitting in publicly funded arts classes right now about to discover a passion that they didn’t know they had.
I have created Instagram videos on both subjects this week embedded here. Let me know if you agree!
Candidate Meetings
I had a great meeting with Ward 1 candidate Chris Potter this past week. Along with connecting with voters over my campaign period, I hope to connect with as many mayoral and council candidates as possible and foster positive working relationships no mater the result in October!
UPDATED: Canvassing Dates
I am looking for volunteers who would like to participate in neighbourhood canvassing Monaghan, Northcrest and Ashburnham wards August 10th, 11th and 12th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. We hope that this will be a great opportunity for theses communities and beyond to meet Jack and help get the word out about his campaign. For safety reasons we will make sure that there are at least two people assigned to each neighbourhood and that anyone under the age of 18 stays with a parent or guardian. If anyone would like to participate in the canvasses, we will provide you with talking points and information on our campaign. All you need is a willingness to talk to your neighbours and a good pair of shoes! If you are interested in joining any of these canvassing dates send us an email!
Virtual Educator Campaign Round Tables
I want to hear what’s happening in Peterborough schools first hand, the challenges, the successes, the little things that make schools run. I am inviting Primary and Secondary educators from Peterborough schools to join me on a virtual round table to tell me what is going on at the ground and what I can take to the campaign trail and, with any luck, the board room table. Click on the links to register and you will receive a Google Meet link closer to the event date. PS: I also want to hear from Principals, Administration and Support Staff. If you help make Peterborough schools run, these sessions are for you!
Virtual Parent Campaign Round Tables
I also would like to chat with Primary and Secondary school parents to hear about your challenges and success stories while working with the board and existing trustees. I am inviting parents to join me for a virtual round table chat that will include a brief introduction of who I am, why I am running and what my priorities are. Then I want to hear from you, what is your experience working with the board and trustees, are my priorities in the right place, is there anything that is missing? What ever your concerns are I want to understand them and take them with me on the campaign trail and, with any luck, the board room table. Click on the links to register and you will receive a Google Meet link closer to the event date.
I am taking some time away from the campaign trail this week for pre-planned vacation and trip to Ottawa. Looking forward to coming back to the campaign in full at the end of next week!