On August 26, 2026, I joined 7 other OCDSB trustee candidates from across the city to sign a statement of shared principles. These principles are dear to my heart as they reflect my unwavering commitment to human rights and my conviction that a better school board is possible if we stand in solidarity with one another. 

I am listening to the parents and guardians of children with special needs: our school board must hire more education workers so that all students experience fewer disruptions and have equal access to high-quality, public education. 

I am listening to the parents and guardians of students who experience bullying: our school board must recommit itself to supporting students and staff who are victims of racism, transphobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, ableism, and all other forms of hate present in our communities and schools. 

I am listening to the education workers who have described burn-out and violence: our school board must invest in specialized education professionals so that all students and staff can be safe at school. 

I reject the idea that the needs of our students must shrink to fit an inadequate funding model. We deserve so much more and I will work to win a better school system for all. 

With warmth and solidarity,

Emily.

Shared Statement of Principles

As candidates for OCDSB trustee, we are individually committed to these shared principles. These principles aim to provide clear information for voters regarding our positions and values. Should we be elected, this statement will guide us in working together to make decisions in the best interests of students and our school communities.  

  1. Local democracy: For over two hundred years, local communities have been represented by democratically elected school board trustees. We believe that the unelected supervision of the OCDSB should be ended immediately in order to restore democracy, transparency, and accountability to our local school communities. If we are elected, we will work to end the supervision of our school board and we commit to being transparent and accountable to the communities we represent.  

  2. Student support: All students have a right to a free, public school system that meets their individual needs. We believe that the chronic underfunding of our school board has resulted in a reduction of programs, supports, and educators. This is an acute crisis felt most deeply by students who have disabilities and are being excluded from school due to a lack of resources. We believe that trustees must advocate for change to ensure that all students are given what they need to succeed.

  3. No hate in our schools: Students deserve an education that is inclusive, empathetic, and helps build a future without hate. We are committed to eradicating ableism, anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Palestinian racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, misogyny, queerphobia, Sinophobia, and all other forms of hate from our school board through representation, education, individual support, and involvement in diverse, local communities. 

  4. Co-operation: Our priority is effective representation of the needs of our students and school communities. We understand that cooperation among trustees is paramount to ensure that your voices are heard by the board’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Education Officer, the Minister of Education, and the Supervisor, as long as such a position exists.

  5. Working for you: The trustee position is a job that has two phases: one under the provincially-appointed supervisor and one when the supervisor is relieved and democratically elected trustees assume their responsibilities. While the board is under supervision, the work of a trustee remains ongoing. We are committed to amplifying your concerns, advocating for your needs, and helping school communities have a voice at the board level. When the board’s appointed supervisor is removed and elected trustees assume their responsibilities, we are committed to working constructively with the board executive team as we represent our school communities for the betterment of our public school system.

Statement co-signed by: 

Zone 1 (West Carleton-March/Stittsville/Rideau-Jock): John MacRae 

Zone 3 (Barrhaven West/Barrhaven East): Daniel Pershick

Zone 4 (Bay/Kitchissippi): Emily Quaile 

Zone 5 (College/Knoxdale-Merivale): Natasha Lynn Mott 

Zone 6 (Rideau-Vanier/Rideau-Rockcliffe): Chris Durrant

Zone 10 (Somerset): Keelin Pringnitz

Zone 11 (River/Gloucester-Southgate) : Brendan Ray 

Zone 12 (Orléans West-Innes/Beacon-Hill Cyrville): Cathy Varrette 

 

a pdf of this statement can be found here