Deal finalized to save Silver Creek School!
It's Official
On April 4, 2017, it was announced that the Province of Ontario had made the agreement to purchase Silver Creek School and the attached green space from the Toronto District School Board (TDSB).
Following the process required to settle the terms, in May 2018, the Provincial Liberal government finalized the agreement for the Province of Ontario to acquire Silver Creek Public School from the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). This completes the acquisition by the province of Silver Creek School, saving autism supports and a therapeutic preschool program for children with special needs. Watch the Story of Saving Silver Creek School here.
THIS IS COMMUNITY ADVOCACY AT WORK.
The transition to provincial ownership will ensure that Silver Creek Pre-School, The Etobicoke Children’s Centre and the families that rely on their services will not experience any disruptions.
Thank you to every single person who came out to a meeting, wrote to elected officials, signed petitions, volunteered to go door to door doing flyer drops and provided deputations and testimonials when needed.
A special thank you to the parents of children who were current or past attendees of Silver Creek Pre-School and who shared their personal stories to help demonstrate the importance of saving Silver Creek School.
Lastly, Friends of Silver Creek want to thank MPP Yvan Baker who became our champion. His unrelenting support and countless hours of work with all levels of government, both on-site programs and FofSC, safeguarded Silver Creek School and the attached green space from being sold to interested parties, including developers.
This has ensured that Silver Creek Pre-School and The Etobicoke Children's Centre will remain on-site and in our community without disrupting the vital programs for children with special needs, mental health needs & autism.
Friends of Silver Creek request the community continue to be diligent in advocating for the continued preservation and protection of Silver Creek School and the attached green space.
Watch The Story of Saving Silver Creek
Agreement to Save Silver Creek Finalized
MPP Yvan Baker Announces that the Province has Successfully Acquired
Silver Creek School from the Toronto District School Board
Etobicoke - I am so pleased to announce that the agreement for the Province of Ontario to acquire Silver Creek Public School from the Toronto District School Board has been finalized. The acquisition of Silver Creek Public School, by the province of Ontario, ensures that children with autism, mental health needs and pre-school children with special needs and their families are able to be served in a community based setting. The transition from TDSB to provincial ownership will ensure that the services that children and families receive at Silver Creek Public School will be maintained and preserved without any disruptions.
For decades, Silver Creek Public School has been home to The Etobicoke Children’s Centre and Silver Creek Pre-School – organizations who care for children with special needs. Soon after I was elected, I learned that the Toronto District School Board
was planning to sell Silver Creek Public School, which would displace these two organizations and affect the services provided to the children and families that both organizations serve.
It was unacceptable to me that we would endanger services for the most vulnerable children in our community.
That is why I fought alongside members of our community, including Friends of Silver Creek, to protect these vital services. I advocated with the Premier, several ministers and MPPs to urge the province to save Silver Creek.
In early 2017, we convinced the Government of Ontario to agree to purchase Silver Creek Public School from the TDSB and in April 2017, the province announced the purchase of the building.
Today I am pleased to announce that that the Province has completed the purchase of Silver Creek from the Toronto District School Board, protecting the services for children with special needs and the green space for years to come.
Quotes
“Friends of Silver Creek thank MPP Yvan Baker for championing Silver Creek School, ensuring that Silver Creek Pre-School, The Etobicoke Children's Centre and the attached green space are protected and remain in our community serving children with special needs, mental health needs and autism. MPP Baker worked diligently to achieve this goal and was always available to the community and respectful of residents’ concerns.
Working with Yvan has demonstrated that strong community partnerships and advocacy result in positive outcomes. We are grateful for his advocacy for Etobicoke Centre.” Tracie Napoli and Janet Griffiths-Maxymiw, Co-Chairs, Friends of Silver Creek
“We want to thank the phenomenal Yvan Baker MPP, Etobicoke Centre, for his significant support in our efforts during a time when the ongoing seamless success of our community was vulnerable. With the support of this grass roots leader, Silver Creek Pre-School will continue to serve the community that has embraced and welcomed the families who need our specialized services.” Irena Setnik, Executive Director, Silver Creek Pre-School
“The ECC is very grateful to MPP Baker for his leadership, continual support and diligence in ensuring that much needed services for children with mental health needs and autism remain at Silver Creek. MPP Baker’s efforts led to a successful outcome which will support children, youth and families in a community-based location. Thank you!” Ewa Deszynski, Executive Director, The Etobicoke Children’s Centre
For more information contact:
Jordan Ray
416-326-1826
jray@liberal.ola.org
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Silver Creek School Saved!
ANNOUNCEMENT MADE TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education, and Sophie Kiwala, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children and Youth Services, were joined by Etobicoke Centre MPP Yvan Baker at Silver Creek Pre-School in Etobicoke today to make the announcement.
Minister Hunter announced that Silver Creek School and the attached green space is in process of being transferred from the TDSB to the province ensuring Silver Creek Pre-School and The Etobicoke Children's Centre will remain on-site.
This decision will ensure that programs for children with special needs, mental health issues and autism will continue at Silver Creek School.
The transfer will follow the process for all public land sales and community will be informed when it is complete.
Community advocacy is powerful. Thank you to everyone for their support!
Watch the announcement
Read more
April 4, 2017 Announcement
April 4, 2017 Announcement
Announcement To Be Made Regarding Silver Creek School
Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education, Sophie Kiwala, Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of
Children and Youth Services and Yvan Baker, MPP for Etobicoke Centre will make an
announcement at Silver Creek Pre-School.
Date: Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: Silver Creek Pre-School
65 Hartsdale Drive
Etobicoke, ON M9R 2S8 Parking is available on Wincott Drive.
A livestream of the event will be available at: http://www.mediaevents.ca/medu-20170404
THANKS TO OUR FRIENDS WHO ADVOCATED TO SAVE SILVER CREEK SCHOOL
WATCH NOW!
PARKLAND SPACE SHOULD NOT BE SOLD FOR DEVELOPMENT.
Green space is vital to the health and wellness of our community, especially as the density along the Eglinton corridor intensifies with new housing & transit.
City of Toronto notes on the TDSB Silver Creek property review that “if this property is sold, operations and access to the park and pool could be affected”.
Full report here: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/AboutUs/StrategyPlanning/CapitalPlanning2016.aspx