diversity@work | Hon. Michael Coteau | February 20, 2014 SfCarchive
Channel: SkillsforchangeArchive SfC
Date: 02/03/2014

Diversity@Work
5th Annual Conference:
Valuing Diversity: Challenges, Opportunities, and Next Steps

This year brought together a diverse and esteemed group of presenters to share their knowledge and perspectives -- with an emphasis on the ways that they have brought about changes in perception and culture -- and made diversity a key element of their corporation's
success.

Keynote Address

Michael Coteau was elected in 2011 as the MPP for Don Valley East and previously served as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Previously, Michael was elected as a school trustee for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in 2003, 2006 and 2010.

As a trustee, Michael advocated for student nutrition, community use of space and the use of educational technology. He initiated the Community Use of Schools motion that drastically cut user fees and made the schools more accessible to groups that offer programs for children. He helped introduce nutritional changes in schools that supported healthy food programs and increased awareness of
student hunger.

Michael worked as an ESL teacher and curriculum developer before becoming a community organizer for a United Way agency in Scarborough where he organized the Malvern Youth Cabinet, the Law and Order Youth Group and the Malvern Photo Club.