Dear Mayor Chow,
I am writing to express the concerns of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and offer our full support with regard to ongoing challenges faced by refugees arriving in Toronto. We believe it is our collective responsibility to support those in need, and we applaud the recent steps taken by both the Government of Canada and the City of Toronto to address this situation.
The TDSB has a long and recent history of supporting refugees upon their arrival in Toronto and working closely with various stakeholders and agencies to provide assistance. Not only have we provided access to education, networking and camp opportunities and counselling services for newcomers and refugee children, we have also extended parent/guardian/caregiver supports in temporary residences, ensuring direct access to schools, and other vital resources.
As we strongly believe that education is a key factor in empowering refugees to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to our society, we are once again eager to extend our support and collaborate with the City of Toronto.
We would appreciate the opportunity to schedule a meeting between the TDSB and city officials to discuss how our staff and resources can assist the City’s efforts in addressing the challenges faced by refugees. Together, we can identify opportunities for collaboration and explore solutions to ensure the well-being and successful integration of refugees into our communities.
Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss the matter further.
Sincerely,
Rachel Chernos Lin
Chair, Toronto District School Board