“He or she who seeks the office of Catholic School Trustee is seeking an honourable position.”
~ Cardinal Emmett Carter
The third week in October is designated Local Government Week by the Provincial Government. This year, it falls on October 16-20, 2023.
Local Government Week was established to increase youth and public awareness about the role local government plays in our communities. This week also serves as a wonderful opportunity to recognize and celebrate the distinct and valuable service provided by locally elected Catholic School Trustees and Boards.
Catholic School Board Trustees
School Board trustees are the oldest form of elected representation in Ontario. The first Catholic school in Ontario was built in Glengarry County in 1826. Catholic school board trustees are the only publicly elected official with the direct responsibility for the education of children in Ontario’s publicly funded Catholic schools.
Catholic Trustees have a distinctive focus that includes:
- A vision of Catholic education that is Christ-centred;
- A commitment to educating students in the Catholic faith tradition;
- Working collaboratively with all partners in education for the betterment of all;
- Embracing the knowledge that their service is an investment in the future leadership of our communities, our Catholic
Our HCDSB Trustees
The Halton Catholic School Board of Trustees consists of nine elected Trustees. Trustees are elected every four years during the municipal election:
- 3 Trustees representing Burlington
- 1 Trustee representing Halton Hills
- 2 Trustees representing Milton
- 3 Trustees representing Oakville
To share your feedback on matters related to the role of Trustees, please feel free to reach out to your local Trustee: https://www.hcdsb.org/our-board/board-of-trustees/ .
Are you registered as a Catholic School Supporter?
When you declare your support for the Catholic school board through your property taxes, you are protecting and preserving Catholic education in Ontario, by helping to further confirm that the publicly funded Catholic school system is strongly wanted and needed.
By ensuring you are a registered separate school supporter:
- you are able to vote for Catholic school board trustees during municipal elections
- you are ensuring that your municipalities property assessment base is up-to-date, which is a public record of support for Catholic schools
For more details, please visit our HCDSB website.
Additional Information
Learn more about the history of Catholic education and the role of the Catholic school Trustee in Ontario by exploring the following resources.
- Ontario’s Publicly Funded Catholic Schools
- Video: Faith in Our Future – Catholic Education in Ontario
- Catholic Trustees, Advocates, Guardians and Stewards of Catholic Education
- Becoming a Catholic Trustee
- Making a Difference for Kids: Running for Election as a School Board Trustee
- 2022-2026 Good Governance Guide
- 2022 Ontario Municipal and School Board Elections website