News Release:
Tory announcement is the resurrection of a good idea: OACS
Ancaster  ON,  February 21, 2006
The Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools congratulates John Tory and the Ontario PC Party for the bold move to correct an educational injustice. “Mr. Tory’s commitment to fairness and equality for parents choosing non-public/Catholic schools, is a welcome breath of fresh air for our parents,” said Dr. Adrian Guldemond, OACS Executive Director. “All children receiving a good education that prepares them for responsible citizenship deserve the support of their government,” he said.

“As was the case with the EETC in 2001, providing tax relief for Christian school parents will go a long way to blunt the 1999 UN ruling that Canada/Ontario is in violation of international treaties,” said OACS Board Chair, Bert Bakker. “We applaud Mr. Tory for taking the high road, recognizing that parents who choose a non-public/Catholic school for their children are first class citizens and ought to be recognized as such by government.”

The OACS believes funding for educational choice is a basic democratic principle. Throughout the entire western world, governments support educational choice even while maintaining strong commitments to public education. Ontario’s educational landscape will be improved when the focus is returned to parents and students rather than to systems.

“Mr. Tory gets high marks for his convictions, his courage and his forward thinking,” said Dr. Guldemond.

OACS schools have been providing top-notch Christian education throughout the province since 1952. Currently, there are 74 schools, employing over 1000 qualified teachers, serving more than 13,000 students in Ontario.