Editor's note: BarrieToday has asked candidates for school board trustee in Barrie to provide a synopsis of why they are running for public office. The following is from Dana Powell, who is running for Simcoe County District School Board trustee in Barrie Wards 4-6. Municipal elections take place Oct. 24. For more election coverage, visit our 2022 municipal election page by clicking here, where you can find candidate profiles and other election news.
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My name is Dana Powell, and I am running for the office of school board trustee for the Simcoe County District School Board in Wards 4, 5 and 6 in Barrie.
I am a 50-year-old married father of two. My wife and I have lived in Barrie since 1999 and have raised our family here. My oldest child is heading to college and my youngest is in high school. I am a licensed paralegal with the Law Society of Ontario and have been practicing legal services for over 30 years. I have strong
communicative, analytical and advocacy skills from my years working as a legal professional.
I am currently employed as a prosecutor for the City of Brampton.
My primary focus is on the prosecution of provincial legislation and municipal bylaw offences, as well as appearing as case presenter at various municipal tribunals and committees.
From 1992 until 2002, I was employed as a provincial prosecutor for the Ministry of the Attorney General in Toronto. From 2002 until 2015, I was in private practice as a licensed paralegal. While in private practice, I appeared per diem as a prosecutor for the City of Kawartha Lakes, the District of Muskoka, and the Town of Caledon, which, in 2015, offered me full-time employment. In 2018, I was offered my current position as prosecutor with the City of Brampton.
The key issues heading into the term as I see them are:
- Equality for all students as outlined in the Education Act of Ontario.
- Increased assistance for special needs students
- Hiring more educational assistants to support teachers in the classroom
- More parental involvement with discipline procedures, school suspensions and expulsions.
I look forward to meeting the community and the citizens of Wards 4, 5 and 6 in the upcoming election campaign. I intend to listen and act for your concerns and expectations as your school board trustee. As a new person to the position, I look forward to helping continue an equal and accessible school board for all. I will endeavour to earn your support and promise to bring a hard-working professional attitude.
I respectfully ask for your vote on Oct. 24.
