A new Council has been launched with a mandate to help lead, guide, and inspire a culture of active school travel through provincial-scale initiatives. 

“At our first meeting it was obvious that we have a wonderful group of champions around the table,” said Colleen Hill of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, who chairs the Ontario Active School Travel Council.  

“I am very excited about what the Council will contribute as a voice for walking and wheeling on the school journey,” she said. 

At the founding meeting, 22 May, Council members explored potential strategic priorities, including a variety of policies, funding for infrastructure and capacity building, collecting data to track progress, and program evaluation. 

Over the coming weeks the Council will adopt a workplan and round out appointments.  

Council members as of 22 May: 

·        Colleen Hill, Manager, Heart Healthy Children and Youth, Heart and Stroke Foundation 

·        Susan Flynn, Senior Manager, Cancer Prevention, Canadian Cancer Society 

·        Jennifer Juste, Program Manager, Transportation Demand Management, City of Guelph 

·        Adam Krupper, Coordinator, Active Transportation, City of Thunder Bay 

·        Lori Powell, Executive Director, Niagara Student Transportation Services 

·        Chris Markham, Executive Director and C.E.O., Ophea 

·        Chuck Gardner, Medical Officer of Health, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit 

·        Leslie Maxwell, School Travel Planner, Student Transportation Services of Waterloo                   Region 

·        Pamela Gough, Trustee, Toronto District School Board 

·        Teresa Di Felice, Director, Government and Community Relations, CAA South Central                 Ontario 

·        Jamie Stuckless, Executive Director, Share the Road Cycling Coalition 

Staff support is provided by Green Communities Canada, including Kate Berry, Clifford Maynes, Wallace Beaton, and Mary Anna Zakula.