Local school trustee to run for NDP in Essex

ESSEX — Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) trustee Ron LeClair will run for the New Democrats in Essex in the 2022 provincial election.

LeClair is a champion for public education, a racial justice advocate, and a community leader. LeClair will be acclaimed as the candidate for Essex at a nomination meeting on Sunday.

Quotes

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

“Ron is exactly the kind of community leader we need at Queen’s Park. He’s passionate about improving our public education system, especially when it comes to equity and making sure all kids get the best chance at a quality education. And his drive to give North Star High School a name that walks the path of reconciliation gathered a movement. As a former police officer, he is a strong advocate for more mental health services. It’s so clear to me that Ron is joining our team because he deeply loves his community, and wants everyone who calls the Essex area home to have the life they deserve — great hospitals and schools, quality care as you age, and a more affordable life. I’m so excited that he’s joining our team.”

Ron LeClair, NDP candidate for Essex

“I love this community. I believe everyone here deserves a government that wants to give our kids more opportunity in schools — not cuts. Give our aging parents more home care options to live at home longer. And invest in the mental health and well-being supports we need to keep our families healthy. As a trustee I’ve seen this government refuse to fund safer and small classes, and cut hundreds of millions of dollars from schools all over Ontario. As a life-long LaSalle resident, I’ve seen the result of refusing to invest in hiring teachers, education workers, nurses and personal support workers. As a police officer, I’ve seen how cuts to social services and mental health supports makes communities less safe. Our community deserves so much better. With Andrea Horwath and the NDP, we can finally elect a government that will put the focus on our families, our community, and the investments we need to build our best lives, right here in beautiful Essex.”

Jeff Burrows, community activist, member of the rock band The Tea Party

“I have known Ron for most of my life, having grown up and gone to school together; he has been engaged in the community in many ways, including as a coach and referee in local hockey and soccer. Ron has been a vocal advocate as our school board trustee, showing tremendous leadership in naming the new school in Amherstburg. Ron also delivered a new school to the Town of LaSalle. When I heard Taras Natyushak was not seeking re-election, I immediately thought Ron LeClair would be the ideal candidate to represent our community.”

Mike Akpata, former police officer, Afghanistan veteran and community activist

“I have known Ron Leclair and his family for over 27 years. He and I worked together as police officers and eventually found ourselves together on the Police Association in support of membership bargaining, and representation issues. Ron is a dedicated and competent individual who has demonstrated his compassion for people, and his desire to improve the circumstances that all people find themselves in. I have concluded that his dedication to community is somewhat of a common trait in his family. His father has been a dedicated community volunteer for years teaching young people to skate and love the game of hockey. His father or "Coach Pops" as he is called left an indelible impact on both of my children, and fostered their love for hockey. Ron understands issues of equity and inclusion.

He has connected with people in our community and can understand complex issues and put forth well thought out solutions. His ability to reach out to people, seek information and make a well-formed decisions will serve him well. Ron is strong in his beliefs and has an unshakeable ethical vision. I value my long friendship with Ron and I know that I am better for knowing him.”

Biography

• Ron has been the trustee for LaSalle and Amherstberg on the GECDSB since 2014, and he is responsible for building new schools both towns.
• Ron cares deeply about racial justice, and sits on the Indigenous education advisory committee for the GECDSB. In 2021, Ron rallied a broad coalition of community members to give North Star High School its name, helping to oppose alternate names with colonial connections.
• Ron has always believed policing should reflect the community’s values and priorities, and as a 30-year veteran of the Windsor Police Service always tried to embody the values of compassion and service.
• Ron believes that providing communities the strong social services they need – especially for mental health, addictions and housing – is the best way to reduce crime and keep people safe.
• Ron’s progressive approach to policing won him the Police Hero of the Year Award from the Police Association of Ontario in 2018, the Governor General Police Exemplary Service Award, and helped him earn the role Police Advisor to the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General in 2021.
• Ron is on the board of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra and he’s a former minor league hockey and soccer coach. He has fond memories of his dad’s hockey coach days — growing up as the son of LaSalle’s “Coach Pops.”
• Ron was born and raised in LaSalle, where he currently lives with his wife Shelagh. He has two adult children.