Niagara Region Public Health and Local School Boards Sign Declaration of Commitment

April 22, 2026

Representatives from Niagara Region Public Health, District School Board of Niagara, Niagara Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire Viamonde and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir gathered on April 22 to mark the signing of a Declaration of Commitment. From left to right: Martin Boudreault, Surintendant de l’éducation, Conseil scolaire Viamonde; Jennifer McGugan, Safe Schools and Student Well-Being Coordinator, District School Board of Niagara; Dr. Azim Kasmani, Medical Officer of Health and Commissioner Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services; Anahid Elkes, Direction du Service des école bienveillantes et sécuritaires M-12, Conseil scolaire Mon Avenir; Domenic Massi, Superintendent of Education, Niagara Catholic District School Board.

Niagara Region Public Health, together with the District School Board of Niagara, Niagara Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire Viamonde and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir, have formally signed a Declaration of Commitment. The ‘Niagara Region Public Health and Niagara School Boards Declaration of Commitment 2025-2030' highlights their shared dedication to improving the well-being of children and youth in Niagara. 

The declaration reaffirms a shared commitment to foster healthy school environments and supports an approach where School Boards and Public Health Units work collaboratively. This commitment extends to engaging parents, students, school staff, administration and community partners across the province, ensuring that school environments remain healthy, supportive, and responsive to the public health needs of students. 

Today’s announcement reinforces not only the wide range of school-based public health initiatives already underway, but also the strong partnerships that make this work possible. By solidifying our shared commitment, Public Health, educators and board leaders can continue to create meaningful and lasting impacts in school communities across the region.

Quotes

“Supporting youth is foundational to building healthy communities. We are grateful to share this commitment with the Niagara school boards and admire the dedication they show to students every day. Our ongoing partnerships allow us to collaborate and support this work through public health resources, and we look forward to continuing this important journey together.” - Dr. Azim Kasmani, Medical Officer of Health and Commissioner Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services 

“This Declaration of Commitment builds on our strong partnership with Niagara Region Public Health, strengthening collaboration and aligning our efforts to support student well-being. Together, we are fostering healthy school environments where children and youth can thrive, and we are proud of the meaningful impact this work continues to have across District School Board of Niagara school communities.” - Kelly Pisek, Director of Education for District School Board of Niagara 

“The Niagara Catholic District School Board has had a long-standing relationship with Niagara Region Public Health for many years. We have relied on their expertise for many public health matters, from vaccinations and infectious disease control to issues like extreme heat and cold, vaping, and healthy lifestyles. Today’s Declaration of Commitment Signing formalizes this excellent partnership, making our schools and our communities healthier, safer places for everyone.” - Camillo Cipriano, Director of Education for Niagara Catholic District School Board 

“The Declaration of Commitment 2025–2030 reflects our shared responsibility to support the whole child. By working hand in hand with Public Health, we are strengthening the conditions that help students feel safe, healthy, and ready to learn. This partnership ensures that well-being remains at the heart of everything we do for children and youth across Niagara.” - Sébastien Fontaine, Directeur de l’éducation for Conseil scolaire Viamonde 

“I would like to congratulate and thank Niagara Region Public Health for their proactivity and commitment to providing quality services in French to students, families, and staff members of our French-language Catholic school community. Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir is very pleased to join this partnership agreement between the four school boards and Niagara Region’s public health unit. The well-being of every individual is at the heart of the MonAvenir's mandate, and this agreement fulfills our goal of establishing partnerships that enrich the lives of students, families, and staff.” - Nicole Mollot, Directeur de l’éducation for Conseil scolaire catholique MonAveni

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Media contact

Celia Carr
Public Health Communications Advisor
Niagara Region Public Health & Emergency Services
289-968-2447
celia.carr@niagararegion.ca