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E obrigado a todos pela vossa presença neste dia importante para a área da Davenport. I am honoured to be here with you tonight. My decision to run for Public School Trustee was not an easy one. This is a difficult job with a difficult government as taskmaster. But all I had to do was to look at my daughter Amanda and realize that being a school trustee, defending our children's right to quality public education is one of the most important jobs today. So thank you Amanda for inspiring me to take on this task and thank you to my husband Carlos for supporting my decision to run this November 10th. As many of you know, I'm not doing it for the money. The $5,000 annual salary, which I'm sure the provincial government hoped would deter talented people from running, will be very well spent if I'm elected. I think my MBA will be put to good use as a Public School Trustee. I'm running for Public School Trustee because I believe it is important to invest in our future. Our future is our children. We need to make sure that our children get the support they need early in life. A quality public education is the support they need. The Ernie Eves and Mike Harris governments have taken away your voice in the public school system. They have silenced Trustees whom you elected and replaced them with a Supervisor who answers to Mr. Eves and his government. This unelected supervisor's main role is to continue to make cuts to an underfunded and overworked school system. I will work to make sure that our public school system succeeds despite the actions of this provincial government. The programs that once made Toronto's public school system the envy of the province and the country have either been cut or are being threatened. English as a second language program is vital in a City that boasts being the most multicultural city in the world. These programs will also become more necessary when we have to rely on immigration to keep our city growing. Adult Education programs are an investment in our community. Public education doesn't stop when one graduates. Today's competitive job market means that we have to make education a life long learning process. Heritage language programs ensure that our children continue to be connected to their cultures. Today it is not enough to speak English or one language well. Knowledge of two languages is a bare minimum. Heritage language programs invest in our youth. It is an investment in our children's ability to compete for jobs in a global economy. It is an investment in our future as a City that can successfully compete for jobs because we have a well-educated work force. I will work to make sure that we don't lose our arts programs, particularly the music programs that are threatened due to budget cuts. Children have to be introduced to these programs early in life. Arts programs are not frills. They are a necessity. Research confirms that early arts and music programs enhance children's ability to learn and nurture their self-esteem. Students will be my priority, not budget cutting. Schools will be important community centres that will serve the needs of students, seniors, families and local residents. I will work to attract the best and the most talented teachers. And as a Trustee I will provide leadership, vision and accountability to the citizens of this city. There is a lot of work ahead of us. As public school trustee for Davenport, I will work for our community. I will work for our future. I will work for our children. But I can't do it alone. I need your help. On November 10th, please vote for me for Public School Trustee. Working together we can improve public education in Toronto. Mais uma vez gostaria de agradecer a todos aqui presentes todo o vosso apoio. Deixo aqui também o meu apelo à nossa comunidade para um envolvimento político mais activo, não só na área da Davenport como no resto da cidade de Toronto, Mississauga e Brampton onde existem milhares de portugueses. Votar é essencial ----------- no dia 10
de Novembro votem em mim para lhes representar na direcção
escolar pública de Toronto."
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