See text below.
EXCERPTS
It's not for nothing the motto of one of America's most venerable prep schools is finis origine pendet – "the end depends upon the beginning."
In fact, it's not for nothing the motto is in Latin. The snippet of wisdom – suitable for engraving at academies for the well-to-do – has been around a while.
It's also the principle informing the report received this week by Premier Dalton McGuinty on how to fulfil his promise of full-day junior and senior kindergarten in Ontario.
This week, Charles Pascal delivered a $1 billion proposal to consolidate daycare and kindergarten into a single program from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting next year.
...
Still, it just may be that – for all the reservations – Pascal has caught McGuinty at a receptive moment.
He's at the midpoint of his second term. Should he seek a third mandate, it will certainly be his last. An orderly transition would likely see him leaving halfway through that. So, at best, McGuinty is probably down to just a few more years in office – a good chunk of it occupied with the distractive run-up to and recuperative aftermath of an election.
He needs to decide what he wants to do with it. And indications are that he's already begun to contemplate his legacy, the accomplishments for which he would like to be remembered.
...
As such, the Pascal report seems to offer the premier a set of opportunities attractive on many levels. McGuinty's biggest albatross in office – thanks to implementation of a health premium after promising no new taxes – was the rap of being a promise-breaker. He has promised full-day kindergarten. This gives him a chance to deliver.
He said early on he wanted to be known as "the Education Premier." That aim was recalibrated from time to time. But if it's still his wish, here's a way to do it.
...
- reprinted from the Toronto Star