b'2024-2025 Annual Report Annual Advocacy EventThe CSBA continues to develop and execute advocacy strategies and activities to advance thepriorities of the association in support of public education in Canada. This includes annualmeetings in Ottawa with federal leaders. These meetings provide an excellent opportunity to fosterrelationships with elected leaders and senior staff who share education priorities. The Board of Directors is committed to working with jurisdictions without elected voice in publiceducation. The association works to encourage the reinstatement of democratically electedtrustees. Most recently, the CSBA welcomed the Yellowknife Education District and celebrated thereturn of the New Brunswick Council of District Education Chairs to the association. Grassroots work across the country combined with research and recommendations from the workof Dr. Katina Pollock continues to support the advocacy goal of the association.Over the course of two days in October, the Board of Directors met with federal elected officialsand senior leaders in Ottawa to discuss shared priorities such as the National School Food Program,Indigenous education and languages, and the importance of locally elected voices in publiceducation.A highlight of the meetings was time spent with Senator Karen Sorensen, a former school boardtrustee from Alberta. Senator Sorensen is a champion of school boards and public education, andmembers discussed CSBA strategic priorities and advocacy issues, including Indigenous Education.She shares the passion of ensuring all students in Canada receive robust curriculum that is currentand appropriate to ensure a deep understanding of Indigenous culture and history. Members of ParliamentJenica Atwin, MP, Liberal Party of Canada, Mike Lake, MP, Conservative Party ofNew Brunswick - Parliamentary Secretary to Canada, Albertathe Minister of Indigenous Services Glen Moltz, MP, Conservative Party ofLisa Marie Barron, MP, New Democratic Party Canada, Albertaof Canada, British Columbia Jamie Schmale, MP, Conservative Party ofBen Carr, MP, Liberal Party of Canada, Canada, OntarioShadow Minister forManitoba Crown-Indigenous Relations and IndigenousFrancis Drouin, MP, Liberal Party of Canada, Services; Vice-Chair of House of CommonsOntario - Parliamentary Secretary to the Standing Committee on Indigenous andMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Northern AffairsTed Falk, MP, Conservative Party of Canada, Martin Shields, MP, Conservative Party ofManitoba Canada, Alberta - Member of House ofMichelle Ferreri, MP, Conservative Party of Commons Standing Committee onCanada, Ontario - Shadow Minister for Indigenous and Northern AffairsFamilies, Children and Social Development Kevin Waugh, MP, Conservative Party ofLaila Goodridge, MP, Conservative Party of Canada, Saskatchewan - Associate ShadowCanada, Alberta - Member of House of Minister for Canadian HeritageCommons Standing Committee on Health20'