CCSTA is thrilled to welcome new members to our Board of Directors. Combined, these directors have decades of experience in the educational and trustee fields, and their experience is a welcomed addition to the Board.

Here are the stories behind those who have come abroad to serve on our Board:

Paula Scott (Saskatchewan)

Paula became a trustee with Lloydminster Catholic School Division in October, 2007. After a few years as a trustee, she became Chair of Lloydminster Catholic School Division. In 2013, Paula was elected Vice-President of the Saskatchewan Catholic School Boards Association, then President in 2015. 

Having been a teacher for 10 years, Paula wanted to continue her involvement in education while raising their children. Being a Catholic Trustee has given her opportunities to grow in faith and develop new skills.

Paula is humbled and honoured to serve as the Saskatchewan representative on the CCSTA board. She lives with her husband of 20 years and two teenage sons in Lloydminster, AB. 

Langis Dion (Ontario – FR)

Langis Dion’s background in the trustee and religious fields has made him a valued member of the CCSTA Board of Directors.

Since 2002, he’s worked as the Financial Administrator for the Timmins’ Diocese. Before then, he worked in the banking and architectural industries.

In 2008, he was elected as a school board trustee, and is now President of the Conseil scolaire catholique de district des Grandes Rivières. He is also a member of the Board of Directors at the Association franco-ontarienne des conseils scolaires catholiques (AFOCSC).

Among his many endeavours, Langis worked for 17 years as a volunteer for the Scouts movement, until he became Provincial President of the Fédération des scouts de l’Ontario. He was a member of the Collège Boréal’s Board of Directors from 2005 to 2011.

As an actively involved member of his community, he is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Horizon Timmins Palliative Care.

Langis has been married to his wife Nicole for 40 years and together they have three children and three grandchildren.

After meeting with MPs from around the country across the span of two days, CCSTA is confident in its support from political representatives at the federal level.

On Oct. 30 and 31, CCSTA Board of Directors scheduled meetings with MPs to discuss Catholic education in Canada and its long-serving role since the country’s earliest days.

They met on Parliament Hill, followed by an open reception for networking.

“In my view, overall, the day was a huge success,” says CCSTA President Marino Gazzola. “We were very well received and had many very positive comments.”

The first meeting included a sit down with the Leader of the Opposition Party, Andrew Scheer. Scheer – who is a Catholic school graduate – reiterated his support to the system.

“Mr. Scheer was unequivocal in his support,” says CCSTA Executive Director Julian Hanlon. “He said if we ever need his backing, don’t hesitate to call.”

The following day, CCSTA hosted several meetings individually with MPs including Charlie Angus, Earl Dreeshen and Peter Fonseca.

Read more: CCSTA Lobby Day a Success

CCSTA Board of Directors are set to meet with key political players from across Canada this week, including the Leader of the Official Opposition, Andrew Scheer.

Scheer was elected as the Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada in May, 2017. This comes after serving as the youngest Speaker of the House of Commons in the country’s history. He was elected within the Regina—Qu'Appelle riding in Saskatchewan.

The CCSTA Board of Directors will sit down with him for a 20-minute discussion on Oct. 30 about the importance of Catholic education within the Canadian education system.

The following day, CCSTA Board of Directors will split up to meet with other MPs from across the country including:

• Earl Dreeshen, CPC MP (Alberta)
• Peter Fonseca, LIB MP (Ontario)
• Chandra Arya, LIB MP (Ontario)
• Lloyd Longfield, LIB MP (Ontario)
• Harold Albrecht, CPC MP (Ontario)
• Todd Doherty, CPC MP (British Columbia)
• Marco Mendicino, LIB MP (Ontario)
• Charlie Angus, NDP MP (Ontario)
• Terry Sheehan, LIB MP (Ontario)
• Francesco Sorbara, LIB MP (Ontario)
• Omar Alghabra, LIB MP (Ontario)
• Chris Bittle, LIB MP (Ontario)

  Read more: Key MPs Set to meet with CCSTA at Oct. 31 Lobby Day