Introducing Terence Kernaghan, MPP for London North Centre
Supporting our Schools and Students
Before my election as the MPP for London North Centre, I was the Teacher-Librarian at Emily Carr and also taught at Jack Chambers Public School. I was motivated to put my name forward as a candidate in the provincial election because I saw too many students slip through the cracks during my time as a teacher. Overcrowded classrooms meant teachers could not always give students the one-on-one mentorship they needed to excel. Budgets constraints and poor government funding made it difficult to purchase specialized teaching materials to help students learn, and many of our schools need repairs or expansion. I firmly believe investing in our children’s education pays dividends in the future.
Since my election as MPP, I have been a firm advocate for funding to help schools in the Thames Valley District School Board. Right now, there are schools in London where the majority of students are taught in portables, rather than in the school itself. Our students deserve schools where kids and parents alike can gather to celebrate academic, artistic, and athletic achievements and diversity as a community. I will continue to stand up against government cuts to education and advocate for properly funded schools.
An Inclusive London
One of my top priorities as an MPP is to ensure that everyone in London knows that they belong in Ontario. We have seen a shocking rise in hate crimes and intolerance in our province over the last year. In 2017, reported hate crimes in Ontario rose by 67% from 2016. These crimes disproportionately impacted Ontario’s Muslim, Black, and Jewish populations.
Unfortunately, the government has not met its obligations to address these alarming statistics. Earlier this summer, the Ford government unwisely defunded the province’s Anti-Racism Directorate. My colleagues and I have been outspoken about the need to reinstate the directorate and create a provincial plan to address the rise in Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and other hate crimes.
Locally, my team and I have hosted events in London to discuss the rise of hate in our province and to find solutions. In honour of Islamic Heritage Month, I co-hosted an event with MPP Peggy Sattler (London West) and MPP Teresa Armstrong (London-Fanshawe) with local Muslim youth about their experiences in London’s school system and encountering Islamophobia. These young people shared a great deal of their wisdom and intelligence and everyone left the event feeling much more informed about the what we can do to support London’s young Muslim students.
Improving our Health Care
Improving access to health care is undoubtedly one of London’s biggest challenges. London has some of the best medical facilities and health care workers in the province, but we need a
government that supports them. From overcrowded hospitals to long wait lists to access mental health services, Londoners deserve better.
That’s why my team and I are starting a city-wide canvass in the new year to mobilize support for improved mental health access in London. One of Doug Ford’s first actions as premier was to announce that his government would cut $335 million in funding for Ontario’s mental health services. This will mean longer wait times with fewer services, and takes our already struggling system from bad to worse. Everyone should be able to access the care they need, and we will be calling on Ford to reverse this short-sighted and harmful decision.
I am always looking to talk with passionate Londoners about what we can do to improve our city and make life easier for people. If you would like to discuss these issues or find out how you can get involved, don’t ever hesitate to phone me at 519-432-7339 or e-mail me at TKernaghan-CO@ndp.on.ca.
