2005 Annual Report to OACS Membership

by John Vanasselt, Director of Communications

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. -Ecclesiates 3:1 (NIV)

Periodically we receive queries from persons who are interested in acquiring educational justice through political means. Often these people are anxious to "do something," with the aim of persuading or pressuring government to provide financial support for parents who choose a school other than public or Catholic for their children. I understand their restlessness.

For more than forty years (you make the connection), OACS communities have worked to gain government funding. For one brief shining moment, it was in our hands, only to be retroactively jerked away by the McGuinty Liberals. If sources close to the seat of power are to be believed, one would need an electron microscope to find this issue on this government's list of things to do. In other workds, there is no context at present in which to "do something."

It is our plan to work towards the next provincial election which we know will be in October 2007. OACS will work with Parents for Educational Choice and other organizations to educate and persuade incumbents and candidates that government suport for school choice is the right thing to do. In the meantime, OACS continues to lobby MPPs from all parties and works with the civil service with the aim of expanding health support services for special needs students. Stay tuned, there is a time ...