For Ontario's Future

Andrea does not shy away from meeting and talking with allies and decision-makers when issues arise. The Minister of Education, regional and municipal leaders and local MPs and MPPs know her by name. Andrea would like to continue to serve and advocate for the people of Burlington as MPP.

Key Community Engagement Projects

SB Partners Chartered Accountants recognized Andrea as a Community Champion

In celebration of their 50th anniversary, SB Partners honored individuals who have made a significant impact in the Burlington community at an event on September 12, 2024. Andréa was humbled and grateful to be included and acknowledged for her dedication to community advocacy.

Halton Education Action

In 2019, the Ministry of Education began a consultation with the community to ask their thoughts on issues of class sizes and mandatory eLearning courses. As these were issues that directly affect students, Andrea initiated haltoneducationaction.ca and with fellow trustees carried out a consultation in Halton with focus groups and surveys and submitted the results to the Ministry of Education. The Halton consultation gathered more responses than the entire Provincial consultation.

ReImagine Forward

Andrea was Vice-Chair on a committee of five trustees who spearheaded the “Reimagine Forward” engagement initiative to gather the thoughts of students, parents, staff, post-secondary institutions and industry from Halton and beyond about what changes should happen in education. The report, including recommendations, was presented at the June 1, 2022 regular board meeting.

The “Schools Now” Tour

The Board was having a difficult time accommodating students in schools in the region’s high-growth areas. Students were being held in multiple holding schools; splitting neighbourhoods and even siblings. Transportation costs were rising. The community was getting upset. In early 2018, Chair Andrea Grebenc and Vice-Chair Ehl Harrison met with the Regional Chair, Mayors, MPPs and with City/Town and Regional Councillors to advocate for their help to get schools built in North Oakville and South Milton.  Since these offices have access to the Minister of Education and have a say in approving development plans, they were key people to get on side. Since then, and due to the hard work of HDSB staff and the advocacy of these groups and fellow trustees, the board has been able to secure funding for some schools in these areas.

Mayor’s COVID Taskforce

Mayor Meed Ward invited Andrea to join the task force to represent the public education system’s perspective. This role facilitated a vital link for sharing resources and information between schools and various community and city-related organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Masks for COVID Burlington

In April 2020, Andrea initiated “Masks for COVID Burlington” by recruiting 80+ residents from across Burlington to source material, cut material, sew, package and deliver masks. Andrea worked with a strong team to deliver more than 2000 masks to local long-term care homes for their staff  and to local food banks over the period of one month. Her roles included overall logistics, administration and co-ordination. 

Appleby Line Street Festival

For the 2023 and 2024 festivals, Andrea worked as a member fo the festival steering committee. She is proud to be part of this long-standing family friendly festival that highlights local businesses and entertainment. Her work with the digital side of the festival (website and social media) help keep the festival top of mind as the leaves begin to turn in Burlington.

Burlington’s Integrated Transportation Advisory Committee

Since January 2023, Andrea has been an active participant on the City of Burlington’s Integrated Transportation Advisory Committee (ITAC) which engages with residents, provides feedback to staff and delegates council on the warious ways people get around the city (autos, transit, walking, cycling, micromobility, etc.). She recently acted as Chair for the ITAC Food 4 Feedback engagement subcommittee and is a member of the School walking/riding safety sub-committee.