Benoit Massé

Local Government, Planning, & Democracy

Budgeting

Restore Financial Sustainability
Sound financial management is essential to protecting classroom learning and student supports.
  1. Advocate for balanced budgets and responsible financial stewardship.
  2. Prioritize resources that directly support students and classrooms.
  3. Promote greater transparency and accountability in board decision-making.
  4. Support efforts to restore strong local governance through responsible financial oversight.

Long-Term Plan

Advocate for Fair and Sustainable Funding
Students deserve the resources necessary to meet the challenges of today's classrooms.

Students deserve the resources necessary to meet the challenges of today's classrooms.

  1. Advocate for increased provincial funding for special education, mental health services, and classroom supports.
  2. Oppose funding reductions that negatively impact students and schools.
  3. Ensure taxpayers receive maximum value from every dollar invested in public education.

Public Engagement

Support Teachers, Strengthen Parents and Community Voice
Teachers, Parents and community members play a vital role in public education.
  1. Foster positive school climates that value teachers, educational assistants, and support staff.
  2. Advocate for the resources, tools, and professional development educators need.
  3. Recognize that supporting educator well-being directly contributes to better outcomes for students.
  4. Be an accessible, responsive, and accountable representative.
  5. Communicate regularly through community meetings, school events, and online engagement.
  6. Build stronger partnerships between schools, families, and community organizations.
  7. Help parents navigate educational issues and understand policy changes affecting their children.

Youth Engagement

Put Students First
Every student deserves to learn in an environment where they feel safe, supported, and valued.
  1. Promote safe, inclusive, and welcoming schools.
  2. Strengthen support for student mental health and well-being.
  3. Support students in addressing bullying, harassment, racism, and discrimination.
  4. Encourage educational environments that foster achievement, creativity, and personal growth.

Reconciliation & Indigenous Nations

Indigenous Schooling

Indigenous Reconciliation
Every Child Matters

I believe in fostering respect, dignity, and opportunity for everyone. Indigenous reconciliation is an ongoing commitment to understanding our shared history, acknowledging past injustices, and building meaningful relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. The message "Every Child Matters" reminds us of the lasting impacts of the residential school system and the importance of honouring survivors, their families, and their communities.

At the same time, I believe that every person deserves respect, compassion, and the opportunity to succeed. Through empathy, inclusion, and mutual understanding, we can continue building a more equitable and united society for all.

Schools & Public Education

Bullying & Bigotry

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our schools should reflect and celebrate the diversity of the communities they serve. Every student deserves to feel safe, respected, valued, and included regardless of their background, identity, culture, ability, or lived experience. By addressing barriers and fostering welcoming learning environments, we can help ensure every student develops a strong sense of belonging and has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Indigenous Schooling

Indigenous Reconciliation
Every Child Matters

I believe in fostering respect, dignity, and opportunity for everyone. Indigenous reconciliation is an ongoing commitment to understanding our shared history, acknowledging past injustices, and building meaningful relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. The message "Every Child Matters" reminds us of the lasting impacts of the residential school system and the importance of honouring survivors, their families, and their communities.

At the same time, I believe that every person deserves respect, compassion, and the opportunity to succeed. Through empathy, inclusion, and mutual understanding, we can continue building a more equitable and united society for all.

Neurodivergent Students & Support

Mental Health, Well-Being and Accessible Education
Increase support to neurodivergent students and Accessible Education

Student mental health is fundamental to academic success, healthy development, and overall well-being. Students facing mental health challenges should have timely access to appropriate supports and services. I am committed to advocating for increased resources and funding to strengthen mental health supports across our schools, helping ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Every student learns differently and deserves access to the support and resources needed to achieve their full potential. I support increased Educational Assistant (EA) resources, appropriate classroom supports, and learning environments that meet the diverse needs of all students. Equally important is ensuring educators have the training, time, and resources required to support student success effectively.

Biography

submitted by the candidate or their team
As a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with a Master of Science in Business Administration, 27 years of experience in the federal public service, I bring the knowledge, skills, and leadership needed to support effective governance and student success within the OCDSB.

Having spent my career serving Canadians in senior leadership roles within the Government of Canada, I understand the importance of strong communities, sound governance, and accountable leadership. For the past 27 years, I have proudly served as a public servant, contributing to programs, services, and policies that strengthen communities and improve the lives of Canadians. Every day, I am motivated by the opportunity to support Canadians, uphold the values of fairness and inclusion, and work collaboratively to deliver meaningful results.

Zone 4, encompassing Bay and Kitchissippi, is home to my family. My wife and I have lived in the community for the past five years, where we are raising our nine-year-old son, who attends an OCDSB school. Beyond my professional career, I have been actively involved in community service. Through my work with the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign, I have partnered with numerous charitable organizations and gained a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing local communities. I have also served on the Elmdale Public School Council, where I gained firsthand insight into the experiences of students, parents, teachers, and school administrators.

As a fully bilingual candidate, I am committed to representing the diverse voices that make our community strong. Running for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is a natural extension of my lifelong commitment to public service and community engagement.

I am seeking election as Trustee because I believe I have the experience, leadership, and dedication required to help strengthen public education, restore confidence in board governance, and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

My Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

As a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with a Master of Science in Business Administration, 27 years of experience in the federal public service, and active involvement as both a parent and School Council member, I bring the knowledge, skills, and leadership needed to support effective governance and student success within the OCDSB.

Governance and Oversight

  1. Policy Expertise: Ability to review, interpret, and assess board policies while maintaining a strategic governance perspective.
  2. Financial Stewardship: Extensive experience managing complex budgets, reviewing financial reports, and ensuring responsible use of public funds.
  3. Legislative Knowledge: Strong understanding of public sector governance, accountability frameworks, and the legislative environment affecting education.

Strategic Leadership

  1. Evidence-Based Decision-Making: Using data and performance indicators to support informed decision-making and improve outcomes for students.
  2. Long-Term Planning: Experience evaluating demographic trends, growth pressures, and infrastructure needs to support sustainable planning.
  3. Problem Solving: Identifying systemic challenges and working collaboratively to develop practical, results-oriented solutions.

Communication and Community Engagement

  1. Active Listening and Advocacy: Engaging parents, students, educators, and community partners to understand their concerns and priorities.
  2. Consensus Building: Bringing diverse viewpoints together to achieve balanced and constructive outcomes.
  3. Clear Communication: Explaining complex policies, budget decisions, and board initiatives in accessible and transparent language.

Ethical Leadership

  1. Accountability and Integrity: Committed to transparency, professionalism, and ethical decision-making.
  2. Confidentiality and Respect: Upholding the Trustee Code of Conduct and handling sensitive matters with discretion and respect.
  3. Collaborative Governance: Recognizing that effective governance requires trustees to work together in the best interests of students and the broader community.
See Benoit Massé's election promises

Reason for running

submitted by the candidate or their team
After four consecutive years of crisis with budget deficits, boundary changes, and reductions in special education supports, many families have lost confidence in the OCDSB. I have the experience, knowledge, and leadership skills needed to restore confidence in our school board.

On May 26, I officially became a candidate for the 2026 OCDSB Trustee Election in Bay and Kitchissippi and began this exciting journey.

In the weeks that followed, I spent time listening to parents, students, educators, and community members. The message I heard was remarkably consistent. After four consecutive years of budget deficits, uncertainty surrounding boundary changes, and reductions in special education supports, many families have lost confidence in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. As a result, nearly 1,824 students have left the OCDSB schools.

This feedback crystallized the theme of my campaign: Restore Trust. Strengthen Schools.

The message from our community is clear. Trustees must focus on what matters most: supporting students, listening to parents, and ensuring teachers have the tools and resources they need to succeed.

In recent years, the OCDSB has drifted away from these priorities. I believe we can get back on track. I have the experience, knowledge, and leadership skills needed to help restore confidence in our school board and put student success at the centre of every decision.

The stakes have never been higher for the OCDSB. Our schools need strong leadership, responsible financial stewardship, and a renewed commitment to students, families, and educators.


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