A D D E N D U M

PUBLIC SESSION

Please add the following items to the agenda for the Regular meeting of the Administrative and Corporate Services Committee in PUBLIC SESSION for Wednesday, September 13, 2006:         

12.     REPORTS OF OFFICIALS AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES FOR ACTION OF THE BOARD.         

e)                  Report regarding Resolution Supporting GST Rebates for Canadian School Boards.  p.1-p.2 

                        That the Board approves the following resolution on the GST rebate: 

WHEREAS the Government of Canada requires school boards/districts across Canada to pay the Goods and Services Tax of 6% on all goods and services purchased except for textbooks and food: and 

WHEREAS school boards/districts are currently only rebated 68% of their GST expenditures, resulting in a net GST payable of 32%: and 

WHEREAS the GST is applied to a range of essential items for schools, including pencils, paper, art supplies, musical instruments, sports equipment, audio-visual equipment and resources, office supplies, photocopying, computer hardware and software, utilities, telephone systems and services, and such contracts as snow removal and landscaping; and

WHEREAS school renovations and new school construction are also subject to the GST; and 

WHEREAS school boards/districts across Canada are stretched for funding and in many cases are being forced to close schools and to cut-back programs and services for students including special education, school operations and transportation; and 

WHEREAS the Government of Canada has agreed to rebate 100% of the GST paid by municipalities, resulting in a very unfair situation between municipalities and school boards; and 

WHEREAS school boards/districts across Canada are primarily funded from provincial taxes or local property taxes, resulting in a situation where the GST is taxing taxes; and 

WHEREAS school boards/districts primarily serve children and young adults, resulting in a situation where the GST is taxing services for children; and 

WHEREAS last year the Toronto Catholic District School Board paid $3.3million in GST after rebates; 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That the Toronto Catholic District School Board requests the Government of Canada to amend the Excise Tax Act to rebate 100% of the GST paid by school boards; and further 

THAT the Chair of the Board writes to the Minister of Finance requesting a 100% rebate for Canadian School Boards; and further 

THAT the Toronto Catholic District School Board support the DON’T TAX OUR SCHOOLS campaign to lobby the Government of Canada for the 100% GST rebate. 

13.     REPORTS OF OFFICIALS AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES FOR INFORMATION OF THE BOARD.                         

e)                Report regarding Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) Results.   p.3-p.10 

          Receive. 

f)                  2006-2007 Enrolment Report.  p.11-p.38 

                      Receive. 

g)       Report regarding 2006-2007 Budget Impact by School and Ward – Report #1.  (BACK UP DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY).  p.39-p.42 

                      Receive. 

h)               Report regarding Letter to Parents Re Budget 2006-07.  p.43-p.45 

          Receive. 

16.              COMMUNICATIONS: 

a)       From Trustee Kennedy regarding translation costs for the letter to parents.  p.46 

          Received. 

September 13, 2006