Guest Speaker: Friday, September 15, 2017
Location: Fairmont, Upper Canada Room
Topic: The Early Childhood Education Disconnect
Host: John Andras
For over thirty years, Olivia Chow has been an effective and well-known public figure, serving in Toronto’s municipal politics and on the national stage as a Canadian Member of Parliament. She was voted Best City Councillor seven times by readers of NOW magazine and Best MP in 2010. Readers of the Toronto Sun voted her Top Torontonian in 2012 and Canadian Immigrant magazine named her as one of Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants.
Olivia gained national recognition for her innovative approaches to programs for children and youth as Toronto’s first Children and Youth Advocate. In this capacity, she enhanced the far-reaching child nutrition programs, free dental care for children living in poverty, expanded pre- and post-natal services, and an award-winning approach to delivering Early Learning and Child Care (First Duty).
First elected to Parliament in 2006, Olivia won re-election twice. In Parliament, her Early Learning and Child Care Bill laid the legislative foundation for a universal, high quality, affordable and non-profit national childcare program. She also pushed for faster and more family reunification, amnesty for those without status, and giving a chance for immigrants to succeed through recognition of foreign credentials and employment initiatives.
Outside the political sphere, Olivia is known as a tireless spokesperson, fundraiser and champion of numerous charities such as the Centre for Victims of Torture, Asian Community AIDS Service, Culture Link and organizations helping those with cancer.
Outside the political sphere, Olivia is known as a tireless spokesperson, fundraiser and champion of numerous charities such as the Centre for Victims of Torture, Asian Community AIDS Service, Culture Link and organizations helping those with cancer.