This is Michael's first term as Member of Provincial Parliament for Don Valley East. Michael was first elected in November of 2003, as the School Board Trustee representing Don Valley East. Michael was and continues to be a strong advocate for student nutrition, community use of school space, environmentally friendly schools, and the use of educational technology.

As a Trustee, Michael brought forward several positive system-wide changes at the Board, including the Community Use of Schools initiative. This motion drastically reduced user fees for space at the Toronto District School Board's 500 plus schools. These changes to the permit policy have made schools more accessible to community groups and non-profit organizations that run after school and weekend programs for children across the city. Michael also brought forward nutritional changes at the TDSB that resulted in supporting healthy food programs, reducing trans-fats and increasing awareness around student hunger.

Michael grew up in Don Valley East and attended Don Mills Middle School and Victoria Park CI. In 1997, Michael graduated from Carleton University with a Political Science degree and obtained a second degree in Canadian History.

Michael worked as an assistant to the Minister of Industry, on initiatives such as Connecting Canadians and Computers for Schools. He worked as an ESL teacher for two years and as a curriculum writer then went on to join one of the largest United Way Funded agencies, in Scarborough. As a community organizer in Malvern, Michael was responsible for organizing the Malvern Youth Cabinet, the Law and Order Youth Group and the Malvern Photo Club. The success of the Photo Club was documented on CBC’s The National and the work was featured at the World Expo in Japan. Michael is also the former Marketing Manager for ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and was responsible for the marketing and execution of Family Literacy Day, a national program that promotes literacy. Most recently, Michael was the Executive Director of AlphaPlus, a national literacy organization, mandated to support adult education through the use of technology.

Michael was the chair of the TDSB’s Programs and School Services Committee and Student Nutrition Advisory Committee. In the past he has served as the Vice-Chair of the TDSB and board member of both the Toronto Foundation for Student Success and the Toronto Land Corporation. In addition, Michael served as the Chair of Redemption Reintegration Services, a United Way of Greater Toronto initiative, funded through the Youth Challenge Fund that provides services to Canadian youth involved with the criminal justice system.

Michael and his wife, Lori have two beautiful daughters, Maren and Myla.