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Toronto – Cuts to outdoor education centres operated by the Toronto District School Board will hurt the economies in areas where those centres are located.

That’s the message members of CUPE 4400 will take to voters in Premier Ernie Eves’ riding at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2002. They will rally at Eves’ constituency office, at 244 Broadway Avenue, Orangeville.

The Toronto District School Board has seven outdoor education centres in the area, including Sheldon Centre for Outdoor Education, Alliston; Scarborough Outdoor Education School, Kearney; Pine River Outdoor Education School, Shelburne; Noisy River Outdoor Education Centre, Honeywood; Mono Cliffs Outdoor Education & Conference Centre, Orangeville; Boyne River Natural Science School, Shelburne; Etobicoke Outdoor Education Centre, Albion Hills. It also operates one overnight and five day centres within the City of Toronto.

“Closing these centres and laying off staff will not only deprive Toronto children of valuable learning opportunities,” said CUPE 4400 President John Weatherup. “It will take millions of dollars out of these local economies.”

Closing the centres was one of the recommendations made by provincially-appointed auditor Al Rosen. His report is now being reviewed for implementation by supervisor Paul Christie, who was also appointed by the Conservative provincial government.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees represents 180,000 workers in Ontario, most of whom work for municipalities, hospitals, school boards, universities and social service agencies.

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For further information, please contact:
John Weatherup, President
Katie McGovern, Recording Secretary
CUPE Local 4400
416-597-3957
Daniela Scarpelli, CUPE National Rep
416-458-0588 (cell)