February 7, 2015
Dear Neighbour,
At a Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Meeting on Wednesday February 4th, a list of properties was presented from the Toronto Lands Corporation, a subsidiary of the TDSB. This was shared as part of the response the directive from the Minister of Education putting pressure on the TDSB to sell properties.
This was the first time the list of properties had been shared with us, and especially for new Trustees like myself, the first we had heard of the potential fate of these properties. I was alarmed and concerned to see Old Orchard on that list.
Based on a decision made in June 2014, before the current set of Trustees took office, Old Orchard is listed as a property to be considered for sale. This coming Tuesday, February 10th, the Board will meet to approve our final response to the Minister of Education's directives (the deadline is February 13).
I am working closely with neighbouring Trustee Marit Stiles (TDSB Ward 9, Davenport) on this important issue. We will be pushing to ensure that a full and thorough community consultation process takes place before any further decision is made regarding the property. I will be reaching out to West End Parents Daycare (WEPDC) and the Montessori school, along with families, to get your input on what that consultation must include.
At the moment, the operations of the West End Parents Daycare and Old Orchard Montessori are not interrupted by this list.
I know that Old Orchard is home to a vital community service, and a model for centres of care for children, with strong roots in the neighbourhood, West End Parents Daycare, as well as the Old Orchard Montessori.
These are the kinds of places our kids and families need now more than ever. Our city's shortage of affordable childcare spaces is at a crisis level. We must do much better than allow the hasty sale of buildings that provide the space for them to operate. Broad and rigorous community consultation must occur, and be heard. I am committed to doing all I can to ensure that happens.
This process can be confusing, and there are many questions about it that I myself have been seeking answers to, in order to work together as we move forward.
As I receive more information, I will keep you informed.
Please do not hesitate to contact me anytime at ausma.malik@tdsb.on.ca, or 416.397.3100.
Thank you for your commitment to our kids, and community.
All the best,
Ausma
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Ausma Malik, Trustee, TDSB Ward 10, Trinity-Spadina