Page 10 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – October 3, 2011
Green Party would abolish all faith-based school funding By Michael Regenstreif Local candidates running for the Green Party of Ontario in the October 6 provincial election say Ontario’s system of providing public funding for Catholic schools but not other faithbased schools is unfair and should be replaced by a single school system for all. Ontario remains the only province in Canada that provides public funding for one faith-based school system to the exclusion of all others. The Jewish Federation of Ottawa regards the exclusion of other faiths from school funding in Ontario to
be an “historical injustice” and raised the issue when the Federation’s Communications and Community Relations Committee met with candidates representing the Liberal, Progressive Conservative, New Democratic and Green Parties in roundtable meetings, September 14 and 15. The Green Party was represented by candidates Dave Bagler, running in Ottawa Vanier; Alex Hill, running in Ottawa West-Nepean; and Kevin O’Donnell, running in Ottawa Centre. “The current system [of school funding] is wrong,” said Bagler. “It is not just
MARK S. BORTS Insurance & Financial Services Mark S. Borts, B. Comm., CFP, CLU, CH.F.C, RHU Telephone: 613 565 6275 Facsimile: 1 866 267 5635 Cell: 613 851 1198 mark@bortsfinancial.com Suite 350-117 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K2G 5X3
and is discriminatory. There should be one high-quality system for all.” Bagler added that, although he is not Catholic, he attended the Catholic high school in his neighbourhood because he felt it was a better school than the public one. Hill, a political science student at the University of Ottawa, said space for diversity should be created in the public school system and cited the Africentric Alternative School in Toronto as a model. Funding for private, faith-based schools should remain “as is,” said Hill. If the Jewish community’s schools receive funding, he said, other communities will also want it. “[The] education [system] should integrate communities,” added Hill. Hill’s comments at the discussion were in contrast with the possible interpretation of a targeted fundraising letter he sent to Jewish voters in Ottawa West-
Finally, a Place Good Enough for Mom and Dad Dad kept his independence, space and privacy. Mom enjoys an active social calendar; upscale amenities and superior cuisine (when she chooses not to cook in her own kitchen). The children gained peace of mind from the Palisades’ impeccable helping hand.
What Does Retirement Mean To You?
(Left to right) Federation CEO Mitchell Bellman; Green Party candidates Alex Hill, Dave Bagler and Kevin O’Donnell; Federation representatives Jonathan Freedman and Jonathan Calof. (Photo: Michael Regenstreif)
Nepean citing his “exemplary Jewish education at Hillel Academy and … Yitzhak Rabin High School.” In the letter, Hill wrote, “My parents had to give up too much so that my siblings and I could be afforded a thorough Jewish education,” before going on to describe Ontario’s “discriminatory educational system that entitles Catholic children to a state-funded religious education while denying nonCatholics the same right.” The Green Party, wrote Hill, is “committed to levelling the playing field in Ontario when it comes to education. As your member of Provincial Parliament, I would fight for fairness in education on a daily basis.” Nowhere in the letter does Hill say the Green Party policy is to abolish funding
for all faith-based schools. On the question of growing anti-Semitism in the community, including campus incidents surrounding polarizing events such as Israel Apartheid Week, Hill said attempts to silence critics of Israel backfire. Dialogue, he said, should be fostered and hate speech condemned. “The rhetoric must be toned down,” added Bagler. “All students should be able
to express themselves safely and comfortably.” The third issue addressed in the meetings was assistance to vulnerable communities. O’Donnell said the Green Party would increase budgets for health and education and would bring in minimum targets for affordable housing. Affordable units, he added, should be included in condo developments.
Boredom? Sadness? Loneliness? THINK AGAIN. Your decision on whether to move to a retirement residence is a difficult one. How do you know you, or your parents, will be happy? How do you know if you will be able to manage if you continue to live where you are now? How do you know who to trust? I’ve just made it easier for you. Request a free report I’ve put together for you called “The Ten Things to Consider: Is a Retirement Residence is Right for You?” For adult children or relatives thinking about the seniors in their lives, I have a report called “The Ten Things to Consider: Are Your Parents Ready for a Retirement Residence?” For your free special report and consultation, without obligation, call Kim Dayman-Rutkus, owner of retirement condos for lease at the Palisades Club Retirement Residence, at 613-203-7935. www.retirementlivingottawa.ca. “I would most certainly highly recommend such a move to any senior looking for a comfortable environment and excellent relationship with both staff and landlords.” – Sheila Pollock, Widow, wife of career United Nations diplomat
formerly “Guy’s Hair Creations”
NEW MANAGEMENT
Contact the salon @ 613.722.1719 1665 Carling Avenue