PETERBOROUGH-KAWARTHA CANDIDATE PROFILE: JEN DECK, NDP

NAME: Jen Deck

RIDING: PeterboroughKawartha

PARTY: Ontario NDP

AGE: 49

OCCUPATION: Teacher and Union Leader

RESIDENCE: Peterborough

PAST POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: "I am a Past President of the OSSTF District 14 Occasional Teacher Local. In addition, I am the current President of the Kawartha Pine Ridge Elementary Occasional Teacher Local. I will bring a fresh, community-focused perspective to Queen's Park on behalf of the Peterborough-Kawartha community."

HOW WOULD YOU GRADE THE PROVINCE'S COVID-19 RESPONSE?

"As a teacher, I give it a solid F. The province's response offered insufficient protection for small businesses, children, students, and workers across almost every sector. Health care workers, education workers, and folks from marginalized communities were especially hard-hit. By refusing to consider evidence-based policy and by neglecting science, the province threw us into constant upheaval with everchanging restrictions that were more about public opinion than public health. Ford also slashed $800 million from classrooms and refused to spend money to keep schools safe during COVID. As a teacher, I find this unconscionable."

IF ELECTED (RE-ELECTED), I PROMISE TO...:

"I am a teacher, and I decided to run because I know education is a significant priority for Andrea Horwath. We will reverse those education cuts and hire 20,000 teachers and education workers. It is also crucial to invest in in-school re

medial learning programs and repeal Bill 124. Students need to get back on their feet - if we don't support them now, our communities will suffer for generations. We also commit to helping folks pay the rent by creating a portable housing benefit. This benefit was recommended by the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) and Co-Operative Housing Federation of Canada. Tenants should be able to afford their rent and necessities for themselves and their families."