ONTARIO SCHOOLS STRONGER THAN EVER: NEW VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS EDUCATION PROGRESS

Full-day kindergarten - next step in our plan for strong schools - starts today

TORONTO, Sept. 7 /CNW/ - Marking the next step in the Ontario Liberal plan for strong schools, Premier McGuinty is taking to the airwaves tonight to talk directly to Ontarians about how we've lowered class sizes, improved test scores, increased the number of students graduating - and how we're launching Full-Day Kindergarten today in hundreds of Ontario schools.

"As Liberals, as parents, and as Ontarians, our party understands that strong schools for our kids today mean a strong economy for everyone tomorrow," said Greg Sorbara, Liberal Campaign Chair and MPP for Vaughan. "That's why we've continually worked to strengthen our schools, and we've achieved real, measurable results in lower class sizes, higher test scores, and a higher percentage of students graduating. This is something parents need to know, and we're not done yet. Full-Day Kindergarten is the next step toward building a better future for Ontario."

A North American first, Full-Day Kindergarten will be offered in every school by 2015-2016.

The Ontario Liberal Party video features Premier Dalton McGuinty directly talking to Ontarians about our education progress. The video will air as an ad on television stations across the province after 6 p.m. tonight.

"I encourage families to visit our website to learn more about what we've accomplished since 2003," continued Sorbara. "You can also sign up for our new education newsletter, featuring homework tips, healthy lunch ideas for kids, and other helpful information for the new school year. It's all about giving our kids the best start possible."

The video can be viewed at the newly-relaunched Ontario Liberal Party website, www.ontarioliberal.ca.

For further information: Greg Sorbara, Campaign Chair, Ontario Liberal Party, 647-244-4129