Municipal election profile: Chris Durrant

Trustee candidate, Zone 6, OCDSB

My name is Chris Durrant. I live in Sandy Hill and previously lived in Vanier.

I grew up in Quebec’s Eastern Townships. My father was a high school math teacher for more than 30 years, and my mother was a university librarian. I was diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia in Grade 10. Receiving appropriate learning accommodations made an enormous difference in my education, and I went on to earn law degrees from McGill University and the University of Ottawa. Today, I work for the federal government as a negotiator.

I decided to run because I believe every student should have the support they need to reach their full potential. My own experience has made timely assessments and appropriate learning accommodations for students with learning disabilities particular priorities for me.

Zone 6 includes school communities with very different needs, including schools serving some of Ottawa’s lower-income neighbourhoods. When budgets are tight, cuts to supports can have an especially significant impact on students who have fewer resources to fall back on. I believe our trustee needs to understand those differences, listen to each school community, and make sure the needs of our most vulnerable students are not overlooked.

The OCDSB is currently under provincial supervision, which makes this an unusual election. Until supervision ends, elected trustees will have limited formal authority. But that does not mean they should be silent. I would use the position to stay connected with school communities, raise concerns publicly and directly with the supervisor and provincial government, and advocate for greater transparency about decisions affecting our schools.

Ultimately, I want to help rebuild confidence in the OCDSB and ensure that, when elected governance returns, Zone 6 has an effective and constructive voice at the board.