About

Know more about me

I was raised in Kapuskasing ON and attended high school and university in Sudbury as I pursued my passion in competitive swimming. I graduated from Laurentian University with a BA (Hons) in political science and moved to Ottawa where I fulfilled my dream of working on parliament hill. I worked for various cabinet ministers including the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada. My experience in those roles gave me an understanding of how government works and how funding is granted, which has served me well as a Trustee.

I then decided to change careers and attended Carleton University where I obtained a BSW and MSW. I then practiced social work for many years working with various vulnerable populations.

At this time I became involved in my daughter’s education and joined the school council at Barrhaven Public School and then Cedarview Middle School. While I was serving on these councils I was asked to be their Ottawa Assembly of School Councils representative. I was then elected to that executive. Prior to my election to the Board of Trustees I had served on three committees of the Board as a parent representative.

Since my election in 2010, there has been over 50 million dollars of capital investment in Barrhaven. In 2018, I promised that I would get another elementary school built in Half Moon Bay. I delivered on this promise.

I promised I would never pander to special interest groups. I delivered on that promise. I will continue to take on those groups who have mislead the people of Ottawa about what the School Resource Officer Program was about and how it helped our students and staff. These groups have attacked me personally in a vicious way. I will always stand up to bullies.
Together we will continue to improve the lives of kids and their families.

Testimonials

What People say

Over the many years I’ve been involved in schools at the elementary, middle and secondary level, I have had the good fortune to know and work with Donna Blackburn. More than anyone I know, Donna cares about public education and all students. She was a consistent presence in our school community as a volunteer and advocate for every student. Donna understands the fundamental link between student well-being and achievement. Donna is not afraid to stand up for the needs of students. She has always fought hard for mental health supports in schools. I have found Donna to carefully balance the needs of her constituents and the OCDSB as a whole, and to be honest and realistic when addressing concerns. I have valued Donna’s support and contribution over the years.

Jodi Parker

Former school council chair

Donna is an outstanding school board trustee and I am glad to see that she is running again to represent the schools in our area. I have known Donna for many years, as a parent at Barrhaven when I was principal there, as a trustee and as a friend. Before she became a trustee, she was a volunteer at the school as well as a member of the school council. In her role as trustee, she has always been very supportive of the students and their families, while at the same time respecting the expertise and commitment of school and board staff. Donna holds true to her values and priorities. The OCDSB community will continue to be well served with Donna as trustee.

Sandy Richardson

Retired Principal, OCDSB

In the 6 years that my son has been a student in the OCDSB, it has been a privilege to get to know our School Board Trustee Donna Blackburn. As the chair of the parent council, I knew that I could always count on her for information, guidance, and most importantly support. Donna comes to every event, listens to every concern, and takes the time to be an active member of every school community in her zone (and that is a lot of schools!) She works hard to stand up for what matters most and our children benefit from this immensely. She always stands up for what is right and fair, and also what will benefit the community as a whole. Thank you Donna for everything that you do.

Crystal

OCDSB Parent

Over the many years I’ve been involved in schools at the elementary, middle and secondary level, I have had the good fortune to know and work with Donna Blackburn. More than anyone I know, Donna cares about public education and all students. She was a consistent presence in our school community as a volunteer and advocate for every student. Donna understands the fundamental link between student well-being and achievement. Donna is not afraid to stand up for the needs of students. She has always fought hard for mental health supports in schools. I have found Donna to carefully balance the needs of her constituents and the OCDSB as a whole, and to be honest and realistic when addressing concerns. I have valued Donna’s support and contribution over the years.

Jodi Parker

Former school council chair

I was a teacher with the Ottawa Carleton District School Board for 26 years, and only just retired in June of 2020. For the majority of those years I was at the same school, so the community became like a family to me. As my school’s trustee for many years, Donna was a part of that family. Prior to getting to know Donna, I had absolutely no relationship with the prior trustee. Donna was a breath of fresh air. She was approachable, supportive, caring and giving of her time. I don’t know how she finds the time, but she manages to attend as many school events as she possibly can. Not just at my school, but at all of the schools in her district. She even has school clothing from each school, and proudly wears them whenever she attends events. I know for a fact that parents appreciated her involvement, as did the staff. I speak from personal experience, that Donna was very supportive of the staff at the schools she represented. She was always there to lend an ear, and come to our assistance when she was able to. She genuinely has the best interest of all students in mind, and makes decisions based on that sense of responsibility. I truly hope she is re-elected, so that she can continue the work she has started.

Donna Le Claire

Retired Teacher
Former ETFO Steward

Contact

Contact Me

Email Me

reelectdonna2022@gmail.com

Call Me

613-884-6084